Ex-Bafana Bafana & Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy excluded as South African football legends who 'deserve statues' in Mzansi are named

Former AmaZulu FC superstar Mlungisi Ngubane has identified South African football icons he believes deserve statues, and former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star Benni McCarthy was excluded.

Doctor Khumalo, Shoes Moshoeu, Jomo Sono, Siphiwe Tshabalala, and Lucas Moripe, among others, lit up SA football during their playing days and have attained legendary status.

Ngubane, who was a highly talented player during his playing career, named 10 legends he feels should be acknowledged for their contributions to Mzansi's football.

"Sugar Ray Xulu was an AmaZulu central midfielder. He wasn't flashy, but he was effective in his position. Left-footed and a good free-kick taker, he would often strike the ball straight rather than bending it. He was a very good player," Ngubane told Kickoff.com. 

"Ephraim Matsilele 'Jomo' Sono, I'm not going to talk about players like Scara Sono because I don’t know them, but I have seen Jomo Sono play. Jomo was an entertainer, and at the same time, he scored goals. Pule 'Ace' Ntsoelengoe, he was a team player who scored goals, although not too many. However, he had quality and was a significant player."

"I 'Mlungisi Ngubane', belong in the top four, I had everything. I was a dead-ball specialist, a good passer of the ball, and also an entertainer. Kaizer 'Chincha Guluva' Motaung, aah, the king of step-overs, Chincha Guluva! He was left-footed, and his step-overs earned him that nickname," the former AmaZulu star continued. 

"Percy 'Chippa Chippa' Moloi, he lacked pace and was somewhat similar to Ace Ntsoelengoe. However, Moloi was very good with the ball and pleasing to watch. Doctor '16V' Khumalo, he possessed everything a talented footballer should have. He could pass, dribble, and create chances and goals. He was a special player." 

"John 'Shoes' Moshoeu, a hard-working dribbler who could play box to box. He was dedicated to what he did," he said. 

"Mark Tovey, he was a leader and the best sweeper in South Africa. He had an incredible ability to read the game and re-organize the whole team during matches. He won league titles with every team he played for."

"Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe, It would be wonderful to have his statue in Pretoria, where he already has a stadium named after him. I was fortunate to watch him play. The bow-legged 'Masterpieces' made the ball speak."

Some South African legends have been honoured by their former teams in Europe. Outside FC Copenhagen’s Telia Parken Stadium, there is ex-Bafana striker Sibusiso Zuma's statue.

Kaizer Chiefs legend and former Bafana captain Lucas Radebe has been commemorated in a magnificent mural in the Yorkshire City following his remarkable performances at Leeds United.

Up to now, a number of Stadiums in SA have been named after ex-players including Lucas Moripe, Sugar Ray Xulu, and Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex, which was named after former Orlando Pirates captain Siyabonga Sangweni.

McCarthy, who is the only South African player to have won the Uefa Champions League title, is among those hoping to be recognized and honoured in the future.

The former Cape Town City coach is currently searching for a new club after leaving Manchester United in June.