Four times African Footballer of the year Samuel Eto’o says he is surprised the performance of South Africa national team Bafana Bafana at previous Africa Cup of Nations competition
His comment comes ahead of South Africa’s opening game against Mali on Tuesday.
Now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Eto’o played for numerous European clubs including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton during a 22-year career.
South Africa return to the Cup of Nations after failing to qualify two years ago, and face Mali, Namibia and Tunisia in Group E
In six subsequent appearances the best they have managed is two quarter-finals appearances, and one of those was as 2013 hosts.
“I am baffled as to why Bafana Bafana have constantly underperformed at the Cup of Nations,” he told AFP during a visit to South Africa.
“The South African league is well organised and one of the best in Africa so I do not understand why the national team is not that good.
“Football officials need to sit down and plan how to take Bafana to another level and make it the best national team in Africa.
“Given the strength of the national league, that is possible,” said Eto’o, a two-time Cup of Nations winner with Cameroon and the leading all-time scorer in the competition with 18 goals.
Reacting, former South African national team player Benni McCarthy, scorer of four goals in 13 minutes in a 1998 group triumph over Namibia and now part of the Manchester United coaching staff, blames a lack of desire for the decline.
“They lack the hunger to join a European club, battle the cold weather and fight for a starting place,” the 46-year-old all-time Bafana leading scorer told reporters.
“Unlike a few decades ago when every South African footballer craved a transfer to Europe, the current group are happy to stay at home, earn good salaries and be socially popular.
“I coached two top-flight South African clubs and often got the impression that mobile phones were seen as a more important asset than a football.”
England-born Stuart Baxter, twice coach of Kaizer Chiefs, the most popular club in the country, agreed with McCarthy.
“When I first came to South Africa (2005) footballers were chomping at the bit to go overseas. Not anymore.
“There is a lot of money now thanks to TV rights and sponsorships. Some players are earning huge salaries.
“The attitude of many seems to be why bother going to Europe when I am adored here, can drive an expensive car and have lots of admirers.”
