Benni needs to lose the boep

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Benni McCarthy has packed on the pounds again, but we need him to get in shape for Afcon 2013.

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I have to admit I’m not quite the fitness fanatic anymore.

But when I say “anymore”, it’s not like I used to be obsessed with being fit, or that I used to take every free opportunity to try and hit the road in my running shoes or doing a few sit-ups while I waited for my girlfriend to get done before we hit the mall.

But I was relatively fit because I played sports, and naturally slim because my metabolism was about as fast as Usain Bolt.

These days, though, even the thought of jogging makes me tired, while my metabolism has slowed down to a casual stroll, as my stomach seems to be unwilling to let go of anything I eat and is now preparing for summer by providing shade for my feet.

But once upon a time, in my heyday, I had a six pack, much like Benni McCarthy use to have when he was at the zenith of his football career. These days, though, both of us walk past the sports-bra section contemplating vastly different thoughts to what we did many moons ago ...

And seeing Benni’s brief injury-wrecked cameo appearance last Friday night for Bafana against Brazil was rather sad, because I fear my lasting memory of South Africa’s greatest-ever goal-scorer could be seeing him walking out to play the mighty Samba Boys in a jersey that looked a few sizes too small and his “man-boobs” a few sizes too big.

But I sincerely hope it was not the last time we saw Benni on the field, especially as I think the African Nations Cup on home soil could be the perfect send-off for a player who scored a brace against Manchester United in a Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford before winning the cup with the Special One, Jose Mourinho, and Porto.

But Benni himself has got to be ready to heed South Africa and Gordon Igesund’s call, and get himself fit and sharp for a last hurrah in the green and gold.

The fact is South Africa needs Benni, not only because of his scoring ability, but also because he is a genuine team man and a great motivator in the dressingroom.

On this last Bafana trip to Brazil, Benni apparently broke the ice by pulling a prank on one of the youngsters in the squad by telling the hotel’s management it was the player’s birthday. The hotel’s staff then came out singing with a big cake that was almost as red as the player’s face afterwards.

Benni is apparently also hands on at Orlando Pirates, taking young players under his wing and giving them lots of advice.

However, it is his primary job of scoring goals that Bafana need most, especially as they have been rather barren in front of goal over the last few years. Bernard Parker took his goals well in the game against Mozambique as Bafana looked dangerous on attack and lot more organised all over the park.

Benni has come out and said after his 12-minute cameo that he still has a lot to offer, and a fit and in-shape Benni certainly has. And it’s going to be up to him to pull his weight in the gym (pun intended).

We all need a lasting memory of Benni in national colours. I just hope it comes next year, and not the sight of his gut hanging out of the bottom of his jersey in Brazil. – Cape Times

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

@mor_gould (injured Bafana Bafana defender Morgan Gould praising his teammates’ effort against Brazil): We played well ... I’m very proud of the guys...

WHO TO FOLLOW

@ThulaniTyson03: The PSL is back this weekend, so follow Ajax defender Thulani Hlatshwayo.

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