Is Aden McCarthy Bafana Bafana material? Doctor Khumalo makes bold claim about rising Kaizer Chiefs defender

Central defender Aden McCarthy has been named Man of the Match twice in the three Premier Soccer League games he has played for Kaizer Chiefs this season.

After struggling to break into the Amakhosi first team in recent seasons, the 22-year-old is now a key player in Nasreddine Nabi's side.

He has impressed Amakhosi legend Doctor Khumalo who sees him as a key Bafana Bafana player in future. 

“I think because of the balance at the back, remember they [Chiefs] tried [Edmilson] Dove in that central position,” said Khumalo as per iDiski Times. 

“And then they tried also to play with the two right footed players with central, but it didn’t give them the balance. So, the coach, not forced, but I think he decided to play McCarthy in that position.

“And what a composed player, stability, confidence and he’s very arrogant. But the problem the last game they played now he got out with a little bit of a hamstring problem," added the Bafana legend.

“So maybe that’s another reason why the coach didn’t call him up, but like you are saying from 2026 going forward we are good.”

In McCarthy's absence, Zitha Kwinika has been partnering Inacio Miguel at the heart of defence and Chiefs have conceded just a goal in the two games the pair have started.

That provides coach Nasreddine Nabi with a big decision to pick his men in central defence when McCarthy returns from injury.

The Tunisian/Belgian has been pushing to have depth in his squad which also has centre-backs Given Msimango and Rushwin Dortley out injured.

Chiefs have Mduduzi Shabalala and Thabiso Monyane as the players out on international duty during this current FIFA break.

That gives Nabi a chance to work with most of his men as he prepares for the Sekhukhune United Premier Soccer League match after the FIFA break.