McCarthy: My compatriots lack desire

Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy says his fellow South Africans are struggling to make it in European leagues because of ‘a lack of hunger’.

McCarthy, a UEFA Champions League winner during his stint in Portugal with Porto, says South African players have it too easy in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), which limits their hunger to succeed in Europe.

“I think the players do not have the hunger that the majority of African players in Europe have,” McCarthy told Kickoff.com.

Bafana Bafana internationals like Thulani Serero, Bongani Khumalo and Kagisho Dikgacoi have struggled in Europe, and McCarthy feels a lack of desire is responsible.

“I think there is luxury back home which makes it tough for us when we go to Europe. The other African players in Europe do not enjoy that luxury, which is why they have more hunger.”

As the European leagues head for an exciting end to the 2011/12 season, the same cannot be said for many of Bafana’s European-based players, who are either warming the bench or sitting in the stands.

Khumalo and Serero, in particular, have found Europe a frustrating place as they struggle for game-time at Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax Amsterdam respectively.