Bereaved McCarthy May Opt Out Of Mandela Challenge

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Benni McCarthy - Blackburn (AFP)

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McCarthy senior has been ill for some time now and died on his son's 31st birthday.

And only a week ago the player's former girlfriend, 19-year-old Amy Leigh Barnes, an aspiring model and actress, was stabbed to death during a row at her home in Bolton.
 
Officials of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) said they are leaving the options open for the England-based star to decide whether or not to play the game, which is being held in honour of the country's political icon Mandela.
 
Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana has named a 23-man squad that includes speculatively McCarthy.

Full South Africa squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Krylya Sovetov), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruher), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Nasief Morris (Recreativo)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Djurgardens), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Orlando Pirates), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Masilo Modubi (Westerlo), Siyabonga Nkosi (Arminia Bielefeld), Thabo Nthethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Thanda Royal Zulu FC), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers).

Samm Audu