Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has hit out at South African players for lacking the ambition to test themselves against the best in the world.
McCarthy, who played for Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, FC Porto as well as Blackburn Rovers, says South African players are happy to stay in their comfort zones by resisting moves abroad, something he feels is detrimental to their careers.
“South Africa is extremely talented country with players who pop up from everywhere but their ambition is very low,” McCarthy said on Kenyan outlet NTV.
McCarthy feels PSL stars underselling themselves
“There is no ambition because when I grew up in South Africa, my ambition was to play for Man United so I made it a point that I am going to work extremely hard to get there but if I don’t get there, I will play against them.
“That is maybe not the ultimate but it is a level just below, that was the kind of ambition, but in South Africa, players are exceptional talents, they have got what it takes but they are happy to stay in South Africa.
“They don’t want to move because they are in their comfort zone and for me, that is underselling yourself because in order to be the best, you have to play against the best.”
McCarthy, who is now Kenya national team coach, believes South African players are missing out on opportunities to play in the best leagues and teams in the world by opting to stay home when they have the ability to do it.
Where does Benni want to see South African players?
“You have to test yourself against the best teams in the world, the best players in the world. In South Africa, you are not going to get that,” he added.
“Yes, our league is very strong but I am just saying, the ambition for me to play Bruno Fernandes. I want to play against Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League. If you play in South Africa, you will never get that.”
The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach started his reign as coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars last month after two years as attacking coach at Manchester United and wants to make it a success after recording a draw and defeat in his first two matches.
McCarthy also feels Kenyan players are showing better ambitions than South Africans as they are always looking for an opportunity to move to Europe.
