Ndumiso Mabena has heaped praised on his former Orlando Pirates teammate Benni McCarthy for his impressive work at Manchester United.
Mabena played alongside McCarthy during his first stint at Orlando Stadium, when the Bafana Bafana all-time record goalscorer opted to end his playing career in Mzansi.
The duo were part of the Pirates team that won the treble in 2011/12, with Mabena saying he feels proud to have shared the pitch with his “role model”.
“He’s been my role model ever since I’ve been playing football and thank God I had to play with him as well,” he told reporters.
Mabena, who is 10 years younger than McCarthy, then discussed the latter’s impressive stint as Striker Coach at Manchester United, where he has helped Marcus Rashford to produce the best output of his career so far.
McCarthy’s exploits at one of the biggest football clubs in the world left his former teammate wax lyrical over his achievements.
“Seeing him coaching at Manchester United, I’m proud. He’s a South African, I’m proud as South African,” he added.
“If you can see, ever since he [Benni] got there Rashford has been scoring consistently. You have to be proud when one of our fellow South Africans is doing well abroad.
“I think we just have to learn from him. He’s done well for himself, for his family, for the country as well. He is the man.”
While McCarthy is writing headlines in England, Mabena himself has only featured once since his return to Pirates.
He has another chance to take to the field when the Buccaneers face rivals Kaizer in Saturday’s Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.
