‘Similar to Benni McCarthy’ - Kaizer Chiefs Youngster Tipped to Emulate Harambee Stars Coach

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy remains one of the biggest football names to emerge from South Africa following his historic achievements but there is a budding talent that has been tipped to hit his heights.

McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time top scorer and the only one from his country to win the UEFA Champions League while he lifted league titles in the Netherlands, Portugal and back home with Orlando Pirates.

His qualities in front of goal terrified defenders and goalkeepers and since his retirement, South Africa have struggled to find a terrific striker who consistently bangs in the goals.

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However, Kaizer Chiefs youth team coach Vela Khumalo believes he has on his hands a talent that can emulate McCarthy if he gets the right support.

Khumalo is also serving as the South Africa U17 coach and has led his side to the knockout rounds at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup, where they will play a Round of 32 match against Japan on Saturday.

The 48-year-old has seen enough from youngster Shaun Els to be convinced that he can light it up just like McCarthy, having witnessed his immense talents in the Kaizer Chiefs reserve team as well as at the World Cup, where he has two goals in three games.

“I think I indicated this earlier when I introduced him at DDC [South Africa’s Reserve League]. In his introduction at DDC with Kaizer Chiefs, he scored a goal,” Khumalo said as quoted by Afrik-Foot.

“I said it before, and I’m still saying it now: in the country, we are running short of strikers, and if we get a striker like this, who shows glimpses of becoming better and a good goal contributor for the country, we need to take good care of him and nurture him.

“This is similar to when we had Benni McCarthy and Phil Masinga; this is where you can say it’s rare to find a striker like this. He needs to be protected. If we don’t take care of him, then I don’t know what we will be doing, but he is the real deal,” added the former South Africa international.