Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy made a big impression on coach Joel Santana after the Blackburn Rovers star played a major role in both goals in the hard fought 2-2 draw against an experienced Australia outfit in London on Tuesday.

Santana is set to use McCarthy to lead the Bafana attack in the must-win 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Port Elizabeth on 6 September.

McCarthy turned his back on Santana in June when the coach named him in his squad to play in four Afcon qualifiers that month.

South African Football Association (Safa) spokesman, Sifiso Cele, said from the English capital that he would be releasing a statement on Santana and McCarthy on Wednesday before the squad leaves for Johannesburg. But the word is Benni will play against the Super Eagles.

It was the first time Santana had watched McCarthy in action and the Brazilian born coach was impressed by what he saw.

"Benni showed good leadership. As a senior player his experience shone through. We played all four Afcon qualifiers in June and lacked leadership in attack. Now we have rediscovered that leadership," said Santana.

McCarthy at his best

McCarthy was a revelation. When he is good he is very good and he was at his best against the hard tackling Socceroos. McCarthy is also hoping to catch the eye of Sunderland manager Roy Keane who is considering signing the Bafana striker from Rovers.

McCarthy was in the thick of the action. He brilliantly laid off the opening goal for Siyabonga Nkosi with a clever back heel in the 21st minute to give Bafana a 1-0 lead. Then McCarthy repeated his back heal trick to set up the ball for Bryce Moon who then laid off a perfect pass to Teko Modise.

The Orlando Pirates playmaker made magic by scoring a brilliant goal to level the score 2-2 in the 58th minute. His stunning rocket left Australia and Fulham goalkeeper mark Schwarzer clutching air.

Santana also praised Bafana's fighting spirit.

"The players showed their true fighting character. I was able to play my best team tonight and got a good result. The first half we lost a lot of shape but we got our act together in the second by playing to our strengths and that is keeping the ball on the ground playing.. tap.. tap soccer."

Santana also explained why he played his captain and McCarthy's Rovers team-mate Aaron Mokoena for the entire 90 minutes despite the fact the central defender is suspended for the Nigeria clash.

Said the Bafana coach: "I will play Bongani Khumalo in place of Mokoena against Nigeria. But I did not think it was fair to play Khumalo as he had played a big cup game for his club on Sunday and decided not to risk him. But he is the player who is in my plans to take over from Mokoena."

Santana contradicts

However, the move does make much sense. Why bring the SuperSport United player all the way to London and leave him out after he played in the MTN 8 semifinal, first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday?

Santana contradicts himself and again shows he is not on top of his game when he brought on two Sundowns players Sibusiso Zuma and Surprise Moriri in the second half. Both played and helped their club beat United 2-1 in that cup tie.

Why then could he not give Khumalo a run as this was a friendly and nothing at stake? Against Nigeria everything is at stake. As far as Santana is concerned the jury is still out. One half decent friendly result only slightly eases the pressure he is under. Defeat against Nigeria will end South Africa's hopes of playing in the 2010 Afcon in Angola and that will hurt both the country and Santana.

The only player Santana blooded, after big promises to bring in fresh faces against the Socceroos, was Moroka Swallows 28-year-old midfielder Lefa Tsutsulupa who earned his first cap.

The local based players arrive at the OR Tambo Airport on Thursday morning but Cele informs that no official press conference will be held.

Santana is expected to name his squad to play Nigeria next Wednesday.

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