Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy would like former defender Lucas Radebe to be the SAFA president as he feels he has what it takes to drive South African football forward.
\SAFA is currently under a storm following the arrest and subsequent arraignment of long-serving president Danny Jordaan over corruption allegations and McCarthy is among those not satisfied with the current leadership.
South Africa’s all-time leading scorer feels SAFA has slept on the job for far too long with the country lacking its own football centre like France’s Clairefontaine or England’s St George’s Park that would develop players while giving them the best possible chance to succeed.
McCarthy regrets that he did not demand for such during his playing days and believes had that been present, the current Bafana Bafana team would be challenging in the later stages of the World Cup, hence his desire to see his former team-mate at the held of SAFA.
Who does Benni want to see at SAFA?
“The first name that comes to mind, Lucas Rabede,” McCarthy told Robert Marawa when asked whom he would like to see head SAFA.
“He is well respected within the football community. Europe, England which you don’t get very often. As much as I have succeeded there, I am never as big as the Chief.
“When I go back to Blackburn, I don’t have statues there or anywhere and I was a menace when I was at Blackburn what I achieved there.”
The former FC Porto striker feels Radebe’s standing in the game would make him succeed as he has the right connections that can help him gain knowledge and ideas on how to drive South African football in the right direction.
McCarthy feels the ‘Chief’ has right connections
“I don’t get the same treatment how Lucas is treated when he goes to Leeds. That must tell you something. It speaks volumes and you go and educate yourself, you learn business and how to conduct yourself,” he added.
“He is someone respected in African football, in European football, Premier League and that is someone I would put my name in the hat for that he would probably drive our football in the right direction.”
Radebe enjoys cult status at Leeds United where he played for 11 years, earning plenty of plaudits for his impresive performances and loyalty.
