South Africa Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira Suggests Club Switch For Benni McCarthy

McCarthy made his return to the national side after a six-month absence against Japan on Saturday and was clearly not at the required fitness level - thanks largely to his limited game-time at Blackburn Rovers.

He has been tipped to join Portsmouth during the transfer window, and Parreira reckons that would be ideal for both the player and Bafana.

“It is not really my place to give a quality player such as Benni advice. But if I had to then I would advise him to move to another club in the January transfer window where he would be assured of getting regular game-time,” Parreira said after the Japan match.

“Benni is part of my World Cup plans. But he needs to be sharper. He knows that as well as I do. And playing regularly at club level will see Benni back to his best.

“But you must also consider this was the first time he had played with Katlego Mphela in attack. It takes time for a strike partnership to develop. We need to give Benni time. I am confident he will come good and produce the goods for Bafana,” said the coach, according to Kickoff.com.