Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has opened up on what separates the South African team that last qualified for the World Cup and the current one headed to the 2026 tournament.

South Africa will be among the 48 teams at the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, whose group stage draw will be conducted in Washington, DC on Friday evening.

It has been 23 years since Bafana Bafana last qualified for the World Cup, although they played the 2010 edition by virtue of being hosts, with their last qualification being in 2002.

However, Hugo Broos’ men ended that drought this year and McCarthy is even more excited by the Class of 2025 due to one key difference with the 2002 team.

What excites Benni about Broos’ team?

“Not really because almost all of our team was playing abroad,” McCarthy told Sporty TV.

“I was playing in Spain at the time for Celta Vigo. We had Quinton Fortune, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Fish, Lucas Radebe, Aaraon Mokoena, (Sibusiso) Zuma, (Siyabonga) Nomvethe, so all our players were playing in Italy, Spain, England, Germany and Turkey, so they were playing for big teams.

“Now, all our players are based in South Africa, where we have three or four players that come from abroad so it’s a very domestic national team, but I think it’s a very well-groomed team,” he added on the key difference between the two teams.

“Big talents, a lot players unknown to the world but they will be known because they are really good. South Africa have a very good young team, so I am excited by what they will bring.”

McCarthy in awe of South African league

Benni McCarthy unveiled as Kenya coach. Photo Football Kenya Federation

The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach also feels the current team is proof enough that the South African league is strong.

“The thing that I’m the most proud of is that they are one of the only countries that has a complete national team which is built up from local players who play in South Africa and that shows that the South African league has progressed so much,” added Bafana Bafana’s all-time top scorer.

Coach Broos has relied on a squad largely made up of PSL stars with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates producing the bulk of the players, taking them to third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, qualifying for the 2025 edition, before sealing the coveted 2026 World Cup ticket.