Benni McCarthy picks Pirates star who must start for Bafana against Canada

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has spoken highly of Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa, praising him for helping the team beat South Korea.

Makgopa was preferred as the main striker by coach Hugo Broos for the Group A decider on Thursday and he put in a good shift even if he did not score, putting the Korean defence in a spot of bother for the over 70 minutes that he was on the pitch.

McCarthy, a former striker himself, has explained how Makgopa was crucial in the win and why he must start in the Round of 32 clash against Canada on Sunday.

Benni on how Makgopa was key for Bafana

“He did not allow the Korean defence a lot of breathing space because him and Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] kind of worked together,” McCarthy said on Sporty TV.

“We saw when they were pressing, they were going together and when the ball goes to the side, Evidence drops and Rele tucks inside but they kept working well.

“But aerially, he was solid, contested for every opportunity and it was relentless so Korea could never have control over the ball by winning it because he was contesting it every time.

“They [Korea] were winning the ball but it was dropping into positions where Oswin [Appollis], Rele were picking it up and then we were on the front foot and that was key. And he was giving us that outlet, the last man and when we were a little bit under pressure, we were able to go long into him and he would hold it up and that was key.”

McCarthy wants goals from Pirates star

The Bafana all-time top scorer hopes to see more of that from Magkopa but wishes that he can add goals to complement his good display which has been helpful for the rest of his teammates.

“Now you could have somebody like Rele that was able to control because Evidence was occupying two players and because Rele was playing close to him, he had a lot of free-range passes when he picked up the ball. He could have time and pick his spot which was fantastic,” he added.

“It was just a shame, the performance he had, he could not get himself a goal because as a striker, yes you sacrifice for the team, but if you put one in the back of the net, it gives you that satisfaction and he was incredible for South Africa.”

Makgopa will hope that his performance against South Korea was enough to convince Broos that he deserves to start against Canada ahead of Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners.