McCarthy calls for Bafana changes

 

 Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy has called on national team coach Gordon Igesund to shuffle his midfield in the search for goals against Angola on Wednesday.

The side looked cumbersome in the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations opener on Saturday that has heaped pressure on the hosts.

Various players and coaches have spoken in the last few days, suggesting Igesund do away with the defensive mind-set that hamstrung the side in their first game, and McCarthy has urged the coach to give the players the freedom to express themselves.

“These African countries all look physical and very strong, we really need to up our game on Wednesday, play shoe-shine and piano football and add goals,” McCarthy said.

“We need to use our skill and flair more to create. We must play the right combination in midfield that can score goals – [Oupa] Manyisa, [Lerato] Chabangu and [Thulani] Serero.”

Turning his attention to the strikers, McCarthy was clear in his view.

“If I could choose I would play Killer [Katlego Mphela] and [Bernard] Parker up front. Strength and intelligence equals goals. [Tokelo] Rantie then coming on as a super sub.

“To stand a chance of going through to the next round, if we add our South African style of play against these Angolans, we’ll win.”

Morocco and Angola drew 0-0 in the other Group A clash on Saturday night to leave the teams all square in the standings with two games left to play.