Benni McCarthy On Bafana Bafana Coach Job

Belgian coach Hugo Broos is set to step down as Bafana Bafana coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. During his tenure, he led South Africa to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and has been working to make the team more competitive.

As the South African Football Association (SAFA) starts looking for a possible replacement, a few familiar names have come up in conversation. These include Pitso Mosimane, Rulani Mokwena, and Benni McCarthy, who have all been linked to the job as the country thinks about its next coaching era.

Looking to the Future of Bafana Bafana

Benni McCarthy has now spoken publicly about the speculation surrounding the coaching position. He stated that coaching the national team would be a natural fit for him, saying “I think a lot of people will be interested in the job to coach Bafana. But if I’m asked, of course I would. It’s my country. It’s the national team,” in an interview with KICK OFF Magazine.

McCarthy also expressed his enthusiasm about the current group of players, saying “So it’s a very good time to achieve things with this group of players, with the calibre and quality that they have.” However, he noted that timing could be an issue if SAFA approaches him after the World Cup, as he misses the day-to-day demands of club football.

The 47-year-old explained that while coaching Bafana Bafana would be special, he is not sure if he is ready to take on the role immediately after the World Cup. He said “So, yeah, if the chance comes, I don’t see why I wouldn’t want to coach my national team. But maybe not the next job after the World Cup because I miss club football,” and added that the break between matches for the national team is too long for him.