Talk surrounding the future of Bafana Bafana took an interesting turn this morning, with Aden McCarthy’s name reportedly being discussed as a potential addition to the national-team squad.
During talks this morning, the possibility of bringing the former Kaizer Chiefs defender into the Bafana Bafana set-up was raised, with players understood to be encouraging head coach Pitso Mosimane to consider McCarthy for the squad.
McCarthy, who is now playing for Sabah FK in Azerbaijan, has continued to attract attention since leaving Kaizer Chiefs. The 22-year-old defender came through the Amakhosi development system and enjoyed a breakthrough senior campaign, making more than 30 appearances across competitions before securing his move abroad.
His move to Sabah represents another important step in his young career, and his performances in Europe have continued to put his name in the spotlight. McCarthy has also represented South Africa at youth level, giving him previous experience within the national-team environment.
The reported calls for McCarthy to be considered come as Bafana Bafana prepare for another important period under Mosimane. The national-team coach faces the task of assessing the available talent and identifying players who can contribute to his plans.
Mokoena is understood to believe that McCarthy deserves an opportunity to prove himself at senior international level. The defender’s development, physical presence and experience of playing regular first-team football have reportedly made him a player worth discussing.
However, there has been no official confirmation that McCarthy has been selected for the Bafana Bafana squad. The reported discussions should therefore be viewed as calls for consideration rather than a confirmed national-team selection.
McCarthy’s journey has certainly been remarkable. From developing at Kaizer Chiefs and breaking into the senior side to earning a move to Sabah FK, the young defender has quickly established himself on the international football scene. Kaizer Chiefs confirmed that he made 33 appearances and scored twice during his first full senior campaign.
Now, the big question is whether Pitso Mosimane will take the advice being discussed and give Aden McCarthy an opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana at senior level.
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