Former Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic winger Mark Mayambela believes Benni McCarthy’s exit from AmaZulu was disappointing, and feels there’s a need for coaches like McCarthy in South Africa.
Mayambela who played with McCarthy during his times at Orlando Pirates told iDiski Times his views after McCarthy was shown the door by the club just a day ago.
“Mr. Makonco, if I can comment, I would say, without also getting into any political power struggle within the club, I believe that coach Benni did a fantastic job,” Mayambela told iDiski Times.
“He took the club from 13th place to second place, played Champions League. He took an ordinary team, in my opinion, and change it into a contesting team, a team to watch.
“We could see the belief from the players for me, and there was a lot of young players and also following what the team said they are about, I believe, in terms of playing personnel, as maybe something that the coach also wanted to add in the team, it was something that I think the team could have done, and also help the coach in terms of acquiring good players and proper players that can compete for the league, that can compete for Champions League as well.
“I think in my humble opinion, he never got the necessary support from the club and it was shown and it was all over, for everyone to see. So, I think that’s how I feel about the whole situation.
“But for me, I think he’s a top coach. He’s also top human being. Football players love him, even players that have played against, they respect him as what he has achieved as a coach, not only as a player.”
The former AmaZulu mentor also coached Mayambela during his time at Cape Town City. Mayambela believe that Benni is a top coach and his capable of coaching any other team.
“I believe that for me, he is one of the best coaches in the country in this moment,” he continued.
“I believe he can coach any team in the country, I believe also there’s a huge need for for coaches like him, for people like him that are not even scared to go and and empower themselves academically with football education.
“He has done all the coaching badges enough. So it shows the hunger that he has as a coach, and also the humility that he has as a human being because ‘I’m someone that has played Champions League, also to say, I wanna empower myself and equip myself as a coach, academically’, I think it’s something that needs to be applauded.
“I think, also in our country, we don’t support our local coaches. I don’t think we give them the necessary respect that they deserve.
“So for me, he’s a top guy and he will always remain a top guy and the top coach.”
