Ex-Orlando Pirates star Benni McCarthy slams Safa despite Bafana Bafana being on course to 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification - 'There is no base for the team to come and camp on'

Benni McCarthy has slammed Safa for not having a permanent national team base like some national teams in Europe.

This is despite Hugo Broos' men being on course to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

“They are not there yet because I still think within the federation that’s the biggest problem still lying," said McCarthy as per FAR Post.

"When you are forever shifting where the team camps, there is no base for the team to come and camp on. 

“That’s where Morocco has succeeded. Egypt has succeeded. You see, the North African countries take a leaf out of what they are doing in Europe. Every team has a base where you come in. So I think that’s where we had to lay our foundations.”

South Africa are five points on top of Group C in their bid to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Getting back to the global tournament has been a priority after they last qualified in 2002, before participating in the 2010 edition as hosts.

If coach Broos guides them to the World Cup, that would be a huge achievement for a coach who led the team to finish third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana are reportedly lined up to play Tanzania and Namibia in friendly matches in June, although Safa has yet to confirm the games.

After that, they will resume the World Cup qualifiers by facing Lesotho and Nigeria in September.