McCarthy: inverted wingers making it harder for Bafana strikers to score

Benni McCarthy says Bafana Bafana’s shortage of regular goals from their strikers is a consequence of modern football rather than a lack of ability, with inverted wingers reducing the supply of crosses into the box.

McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals in 80 appearances, was speaking after Kenya, who he manages, drew 2-2 with Bafana in their AFCON qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.

South Africa have struggled to find a forward who can consistently match the former Orlando Pirates striker’s goalscoring record. McCarthy initially joked that the issue was now the responsibility of Pitso Mosimane before explaining why he believes scoring has become more difficult for traditional centre-forwards.

“It’s Coach Pitso’s job now, not mine,” he said. “I’ve got my own worries. No, listen, it’s not just in South Africa. It’s a worldwide thing because when you look at modern day football now, most teams play inverted wingers.

“So you don’t get crosses anymore, put it near post for strikers to make that near post run.”

Inverted wingers generally move inside on to their stronger foot instead of staying wide and delivering early balls into the penalty area. McCarthy believes that change has reduced the type of service on which many strikers traditionally depended.

He recalled a different approach during his playing career, when South Africa regularly used natural wingers to supply the forwards.

“Back in my days, we had Delron Buckley, for example, left footer, left winger, club tip, whoop in there. Myself, Shaun [Bartlett], Bhele [Siyabonga Nomvethe], [Sibusiso] Zuma,” McCarthy said.

“We had to make sure, you know, when the ball is on the left foot, near post, one goes second post. Wherever that ball lands, one of us is going to get it. But now it’s different.”

McCarthy added that forwards can now make the correct runs but still fail to receive the ball in a goalscoring position because wide players are more likely to cut inside before attempting a delivery.

“You make a run and then the wingers cut back onto the strong foot then to bring it back. So it’s difficult to breed strikers when you play inverted on the wings,” he said.

Despite his concerns, McCarthy believes Bafana have a forward capable of eventually surpassing his record. He backed Lyle Foster, while stressing that the Houston Dynamo striker must be given the right support and service.

“He’s top-notch, top-notch,” McCarthy said. “I said a long time ago, I think, if there’s a player that’s got the characteristic, that’s got the quality, that’s going to take my name off the record books there, it could be Lyle because he’s got the ability, he’s got the aura, but he needs the service, he needs the team to play for him, you know, and Iqraam Rayners as well.

“But then you’ve got to play to the strength of the strikers that you have. When you don’t play to the strength of your strikers, it becomes difficult for them to score goals.”