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South Africa Olympics coach blasts Benni
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 26 (AFP) - Coach Ephraim Mashaba has blamed golden boy Benni McCarthy for the failure of South Africa to progress beyond the group stage at the Sydney Olympics football tournament. Amaglug-glug (The small boys) were eliminated after the first round despite a shock 3-1 victory over pre-competition favourites Brazil, who won Group D followed by Japan, South Africa and Slovakia. Victory over Slovakia in their final match would have taken South Africa into the knockout stages and Mashaba said the failure of McCarthy to convert chances was largely responsible for the 2-1 defeat. Speaking to reporters after the national under-23 squad returned to a lukewarm welcome in chilly conditions, Mashaba said McCarthy and fellow striker Siyabonga Nomvete continually ignored instructions. "McCarthy operated in a world of his own during the Olympics. He should have scored hat-tricks against Japan and Slovakia and his attitude was unacceptable," Mashaba said. Spain-based Benni sprang to prominence at the 1998 African Nations Cup in Burkina Faso, where he was voted top player and finished joint leading scorer with veteran Egyptian Hossam Hassan. The coach also lashed Nomvete, who has been linked with English Premiership outfit Sunderland, although the Kaizer Chiefs striker headed goals against Japan and Brazil. "I instructed Siyabonga to play beside Benni, but he constantly drifted out to the left and closed himself down by holding on to the ball too long," Mashaba said. Captain Matthew Booth did not escape the wrath of Mashaba, who slammed the giant central defender for not following instructions and lacking leadership when the team was under pressure. McCarthy deflected criticism, saying the team was over confident before the Slovakia match, while Booth blamed bad preparations that included just one warm-up match for the timid exit.
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