Benni McCarthy has expressed his pride at the transformation of Bafana Bafana under new coach Pitso Mosimane, saying the team are playing with a freedom and enthusiasm that was not always evident under his predecessor, Hugo Broos.
Mosimane took charge early last month and has made an impressive start, winning all three of his opening matches, including crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victories against Guinea and Eritrea.
While retaining much of the foundation established by Broos, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach has introduced fresh faces and welcomed several familiar players back into the national team.
McCarthy, who will lead Kenya against Bafana in Friday’s opening match of their qualifying double-header at Orlando Amstel Arena, has been encouraged by what he has seen.
“Local is lekker,” McCarthy said. “You can see now that the players are playing with freedom. There’s a lot of excitement and joy within the camp. They’ve got a coach now that understands them, the culture, and what it means to bleed South African. It’s amazing to see.”
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Although McCarthy acknowledged Broos’s achievements, including guiding South Africa to their first-ever knockout-stage appearance at the World Cup, he suggested the team might have achieved even more had Mosimane been in charge earlier.
“If we had only seen that at the World Cup, I think South Africa would have done better than what they did,” he said.
McCarthy stressed that his comments were not intended to undermine Broos, but believes there has been a noticeable change in the players’ approach.
“Before, a lot of players were very tense when they put on that shirt, showing a bit of nervousness, but now they play with so much freedom.”
Despite his admiration, McCarthy has promised Kenya will make life difficult for Bafana in the two qualifiers, while wishing Mosimane every success in his new role.