McCarthy vows he 'can help Bafana qualify for World Cup & go far' - Manchester United's coach wants to emulate Morocco success

It is 14 years since Bafana Bafana last played the Fifa World Cup, which was hosted in the country and held in Africa for the first time.

In the 2022 edition, Morocco set history by becoming the first team from the continent to reach the semi-final. McCarthy now believes he has what it takes to emulate the Atlas Lions if he gets the Bafana job.

"The fire is burning even more so, because of the fact that South Africa has never qualified for the World Cup since 2010, or technically 2002! And that ghost is haunting me," McCarthy told iDiski Times.

"So the more we are not involved in world football at the big stage, the more that is saying to me, 'I think maybe it’s time to push the button on taking the national team'. Because I know I have what it takes.

"I can help our national team qualify for the World Cup. And not just qualify for the World Cup, but going far! Going through the group stages and doing what Morocco and Ghana have done at previous World Cups."

McCarthy does not have any experience when it comes to coaching the national team. He has previously coached Premier Soccer League clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu.

Currently, he is the Manchester United strikers' coach but he has made his intentions of coaching South Africa clear.

Coach Hugo Broos has the task of helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The Belgian's contract expires in 2026 and Safa might opt to extend his stay depending with his performance.