Fat Benni, not the same player I remember

Benni McCarthy has always been an divisive figure in South African football. He could always make you scream for joy when his on the field and then pull your hair out, when his off it. Blessed with the ability to score goals, Benni bust onto the scene in the 1998 African Nations Cup by scoring 7 goals and taking Bafana Bafana to the finals of the competition. He was a national hero, and a footballer South Africans could always follow with pride when he played in European competitions.

But while a hero on the field of play, Benni slowly turned into the anti-Christ off it. Years of conflict with SAFA, national coaches and the local press have damaged his reputation with fans. But when the goals were scored, some fans would run back to praise him.

These days, you cannot recognise him, as that goal scoring machine we all loved. His put on at least 10kg and has no pace to talk of. Just last week, against Aston Villa, he came on as a second half substitute, and received a beautiful pass to put him clear on goal. The old Benni, would have ran clear, rounded the goalkeeper, and kept Blackburn Rovers in the Cup Competition. This Benni, simply kicked the ball away as the opposing defender caught up to him. Today's Benni, takes corner kicks, instead of being in the danger area to score goals. Some people would say, the weight gain and lack of pace is all a part of getting old, but the truth is, he hasn't applied himself. He has had constant run ins with Blackburn Rovers managers Paul Ince (previous) and lately Sam Allardyce about his lack of fitness. McCarthy even complained that Allardyce picks on him, because he gives him extra fitness work outs than his teammates.And has thus refused to do the extra training.

Alas it looks like Benni McCarthy will be moving to a new club this transfer season. I wonder what his new manager will think of his fitness level. But one thing is certain, this is not the player I remember.





Marlon Koopman is an amateur blogger, living in London