Injury puzzle as McCarthy quits South Africa squad

Striker Benni McCarthy said on Tuesday a hamstring injury will prevent him joining 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa for friendlies against Norway and Portugal.

His move puzzled national football association officials as Blackburn Rovers cleared the player to join Bafana Bafana (The Boys) for games with Norway in Rustenburg on Saturday and Portugal in Switzerland three days later.

McCarthy strained his hamstring in an English Premiership clash with West Ham at Ewood Stadium last Saturday, but Blackburn did not consider the injury serious enough to prevent him travelling.

“The South African team doctor had a telephone discussion with Benni following a report from the Blackburn medical team, but the player insists he feels tremendous pain,” a national association statement said.

McCarthy has a history of clashes with South African football authorities, blaming them for his withdrawals and ‘retirements’ from the national squad before promising coach Joel Santana last year he would always be available.

Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi from Durban club Lamontville Golden Arrows has also withdrawn injured and strikers Katlego Mashego of Orlando Pirates and Katlego Mphela of Mamelodi Sundowns have been added to the squad.