Benni backing Bafana to still make it to Russia
JOHANNESBURG: Ex Bafana Bafana marksman Benni McCarthy is backing Stuart Baxter to make it to Russia despite major odds against him.
Mathematically Bafana can still qualify for the 2018 World Cup despite languishing at the bottom of Group D with one point from three matches.
Bafana lost back-to-back matches against Cape Verde home and away last month, which dented their hopes.
Tomorrow South Africa will face group leaders Burkina Faso at FNB Stadium (3pm kickoff).
Bafana got their single point away to Burkina Faso last year when Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was still at the helm.
McCarthy, though, remains optimistic that Baxter can turn around Bafana’s fortunes in their remaining qualifiers.
“Safa have installed their trust in Baxter (and) it is too early to make judgement,” said the Cape Town City coach.
“When we lose games, people are quick to point fingers. People forget that he went to Nigeria and defeated Nigeria there and everyone sang his praises at the time.
“Now that we’ve lost to Cape Verde we are labelling him as a bad coach.
“As South Africa we don’t have patience and that’s why we don’t succeed when it comes to youth. We are too quick to point fingers. People have to understand that coaches are human beings. They also need time to grow and get their philosophy across to the players. Here you get the job today and tomorrow you need to be the champion.”
Meanwhile the date for the replay of the match between Bafana and Senegal will take place on 10 November in Polokwane.
The team will face each other again on 14 November in Senegal.
“Baxter didn’t have that much time (at first) and had to play against Nigeria and he did so successfully. When you play World Cup qualifiers you go there and get teams that you don’t know a lot about. It not as easy as it seems from outside,” McCarthy explained.
“I’m confident in Baxter. He is an experienced coach and he will do the best for the country, and he will put us where we should be. I have not lost faith that Bafana can still qualify, but we have to use our experience. We have to give players who are playing in Europe against tough opposition opportunities in these matches.
“People in South Africa have not lost interest in Bafana, I disagree with that. When we (City) played Ajax Cape Town this past weekend the whole bottom part of Cape Town Stadium was full.
“That is not saying that the public have lost faith in our football.
“The national team had a slump, but they will bounce back. Every good nation, or if you are boxer, and you are punched down, you get yourself up and fight harder. The more you want it the more you will become victorious. That’s what Bafana have to do.”