Injury set to rule Benni out of World Cup

Published Feb 26, 2010

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By Neal Collins

London

South Africa's already frail World Cup hopes took an alarming turn for the worse with the news that West Ham United striker Benni McCarthy's 31-year-old knee is showing little sign of being ready for the big kickoff against Mexico in Johannesburg on June 11.

McCarthy, who completed his controversial 2,5-million pounds (R29,8m) move from Blackburn Rovers days before the January transfer window closed, has yet to complete a game for the Hammers.

He limped off during his debut at Burnley - he had a glorious chance saved off the line in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat on February 10 - and has been unavailable ever since.

An Upton Park source said: "Benni's not looking good. That knee is a problem. South Africa may be in trouble if they think he's going to be their major World Cup striker."

The injury is not believed to be related to the knee problem McCarthy suffered for Rovers against Fulham in November 2007, or any of the long-running problems which have ruled him out of so many internationals for South Africa in recent years.

But coach Carlos Parreira is insisting he will only pick a fully-fit McCarthy after his repeated spats with the Bafana Bafana management.

When McCarthy left Ewood Park after refusing to train during his final days at Blackburn, former boss Sam Allarydyce insisted: "Benni's not getting any younger. The legs are not quite as good, but the talent is still there. When he came to Blackburn, he scored 23 goals in his first year and hasn't quite replicated that since."

McCarthy's problems add to Parreira's woes - his side moved up from 85th to 81st in the Fifa rankings after friendly wins over Zimbabwe and Swaziland in Durban last month, but they remain the lowest-ranked World Cup hosts in history.

While their cricket team held the world's best Test nation India to a drawn series and their rugby Springboks hold the World Cup, the football side face abject failure as they prepare for the biggest sporting event in the Rainbow Nation's history.

This week's news of their late move of World Cup training camp from Esselen Park's School of Excellence to Sandown High School has left the hosts facing further ridicule.

Steven Pienaar remains South Africa's real beacon of hope, despite being charged with drunken driving. Perhaps understandably, he was pulled over by police on Merseyside after starring in Everton's shock 3-1 win over champions Manchester United on Saturday.

A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that a 27-year-old man has been charged with drink driving and failure to comply with a traffic sign.

"He was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning and charged later that day. Steven Pienaar from Woolton will appear at Liverpool City Magistrate's Court on March 9, 2010."

On a brighter note, Jamie Redknapp, the former Liverpool and England midfielder, said after Pienaar's display: "He won't be among the contenders for Footballer of the Year, but there haven't been too many more consistent players.

"He travels all over the pitch, left and right, wants the ball and makes things happen.

"He has good balance, can pass and dribble with both feet and scores goals. I'm not surprised other clubs are looking at him." - www.nealcollins.co.uk

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