Benni McCarthy. Picture: THE TIMES
BENNI McCarthy will temporarily suspend his coaching studies in England to be part of the South African Legends side to play in Nigeria on March 30.
Also coming is Quinton Fortune, who with McCarthy has been roped into the Bafana Bafana Class of 1996 to play their Nigerian counterparts in an international friendly in Kanu.
The two sides want to settle an 18-year-old score, as many Nigerians still do not recognise the 1996 success of Bafana Bafana in winning the African Nations Cup, in a tournament they were unable to attend. The Nigerians insist that had their players taken part in South Africa, they would have successfully defended their title.
The Super Eagles, who were in top form at that time, were the victims of Nigerian military dictator Sani Abacha ’s execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others. Then South African president Nelson Mandela vilified Abacha for the killings, who in response denied the team permission to travel to South Africa.
For the record, Bafana Bafana went all the way by beating Tunisia through two goals by striker Mark Williams at FNB Stadium.
Besides McCarthy, other "legends" in the South African team are Doctor Khumalo, Linda Buthelezi, John Moeti and Eric Tinkler.
South African Legends and Masters Association head Bhudah Mathathe said it has also spiced up the team by adding Aaron Mokoena, Quinton Fortune and McBeth Sibaya.
The former Witbank Black Aces midfielder said it will announce the South African squad at Safa House on Thursday.
The Nigerian line-up will include Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amakochi and Daniel Amunike.
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