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McCarthy: Good to be back

McCarthy: Good to be back

Benni decision was unanimous

Benni McCarthy's return to the national squad was agreed upon unanimously by Bafana staff, says assistant coach Jairo Leal.

South Africa's all-time leading goalscorer was called back into the Bafana setup after a nine-month absence while Joel Santana prepared a squad for June's Confederations Cup.

But with Santana sent packing and Carlos Alberto Parreira back in the hotseat, the door has once again been opened to the man who has scored 31 goals in 76 caps for his country.

Despite some sectors of the nation still feeling the Blackburn frontman does not deserve a place in the World Cup squad for being disloyal and putting on weight, Leal has revealed it was an easy decision for the coaching staff.

Leal says the recalling of McCarthy after nine months of self-imposed sabbatical was done in consultation with returning head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira along with Pitso Mosimane.

"The return of Benni was done after we spoke about it between myself, Pitso [Mosimane] and Parreira," Leal said at a press conference on Thursday.

"He [McCarthy] is the main striker in the country and this is the time to bring Benni back and see how he does in the last two games of the year. He is a good player and we trust Benni is going to help us in the way forward."

McCarthy will resume his international career when Bafana take on Japan on 14 November and then Jamaica three days later, and it is expected he will start in those friendlies.

When asked about how much say Parreira had on the latest squad, Leal added: "This was done by Pitso and I since we started the project with our targets in mind and did talk to Parreira just like we have always done.

"He [Parreira] knows what he left behind, but the main idea about this squad was from Pitso and I."

Posted: 05/11/09 14:58

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