‘Broos has nothing more to offer’ – Sukazi backs Benni McCarthy for Bafana job

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has thrown his weight behind Benni McCarthy as the man he believes should succeed Hugo Broos as Bafana Bafana coach, insisting the Belgian tactician has reached the end of his journey with the national team.

The South African Football Association (Safa) is yet to announce a decision on Broos’ future after his contract expired following the FIFA World Cup, where he indicated that he would retire from coaching.

But Sukazi believes Bafana need a fresh direction and has identified McCarthy as the ideal candidate to take the team forward.

“If it was my choice, I would go for Benni McCarthy,” Sukazi said while speaking to the media during the unveiling of TS Galaxy’s squad in Pretoria.

The TS Galaxy boss praised McCarthy’s work despite managing clubs outside the traditional elite circle, highlighting his achievements in South African football and his current success with Kenyan club side Kenya Police FC.

“Benni McCarthy…is doing magic with an unfashionable side in Kenya,” Sukazi said. “He has done a splendid job at all the teams he coached here when he was a novice in the coaching field.”

‘Broos cannot offer anything more’ – Sukazi

Sukazi believes McCarthy’s previous record proves he has the credentials to lead the national team, pointing to his domestic achievements with AmaZulu and Cape Town City.

“At AmaZulu, he finished second, and he won the MTN8 with Cape Town City, and his teams have been high up there. That’s the truth, and these are the facts,” he added.

The Galaxy chairman acknowledged other names have been linked with the position, including Pitso Mosimane, but maintained McCarthy would be his preferred option.

“There has been mention of coach Pitso [Mosimane]. [But] if I were to go for personal choice, I would go for Benni.”

Sukazi also questioned whether Broos still has more to contribute after leading South Africa to a bronze medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and guiding them to the World Cup.

Criticism of Broos’ player assessments questioned

The Galaxy chairman also criticised Broos’ comments about young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s move to Major League Soccer, arguing that the coach’s assessment of foreign leagues had been inconsistent.

“When Mbokazi left for the US, he [Broos] said the [US] league is poor and he should have moved to better leagues. But now who was our best player at the World Cup playing in what league?” he questioned.

Sukazi was referring to Bafana’s standout performer at the tournament, whose club background contradicted Broos’ previous criticism of moves to certain leagues.

He also took issue with Broos’ comments about teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng, claiming such remarks could influence how foreign clubs view the player.

“Sometimes we must be truthful. [Broos] has already made statements about Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] that he is weak; he must be strong; he won’t play in six months, influencing the minds [of Belgium team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, where Mofokeng plays],” Sukazi said.