South Africa has a long sporting history, and although the sport in which they excel is undoubtedly rugby, football has also brought fantastic players to the top who have shined in the best international leagues.
Even this time Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup (the last one they played was in South Africa in 2010) but if we look at the football history of the South African national team we can find excellent players who have written pages important to African sport.
In this article we will consider some of the best South African footballers, also analyzing the data at https://www.thepunterspage.com/south-africa-betting-sites/, taking into account their careers, international popularity and achievements.
Neil Tovey – The first South African captain
Fifth on our list is Neil Tovey, the first captain of the South African national team. Tovey has set many records, including being the first footballer to reach 50 appearances with Bafana Bafana, as well as being the leader of the so-called “Nation Builders” in 1996 which triumphed at the African Championships.
Neil Tovey’s career spanned two different decades, playing for Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu, somehow remaining a legend for both sides. His best quality was certainly his strength and focused mindset, which allowed him to be a fundamental cornerstone in every team he played for.
Lucas Radebe – Mandela’s hero
Lucas Radebe is also part of that fantastic Generation 1996 who won the African championships, playing for the national team also at the 1998 and 2002 world championships.
After getting noticed by European talent scouts while playing for Kaizer Chiefs, Radebe became a true legend in the Premier League, wearing the Leed United jersey and being recognized as one of the most established defenders during those years.
The legend of Lucas Radebe will remain brilliant over time, thanks also to the words of Nelson Mandela himself, who called him “his hero”.
In England, Lucas Radebe stood out for the elegance of his defensive game, remaining loyal to his team, but probably his career could have been even higher if Leeds United had accepted the transfer offer made by Manchester United.
Benni McCarthy – The brightest star in South African football
Benni McCarthy is the top-scorer ever for the South African national team and without a shadow of a doubt the most acclaimed striker of his generation, also being shortlisted for the 1998 Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot.
McCarthy is also the only South African player to have won the European Champions League, playing for FC Porto alongside Deco and an up-and-coming coach, Jose Mourinho. These personal and team results are already enough to place Benni McCarthy among the most influential South African players of all time.
Benni McCarthy also played for Ajax, Blackburn Rovers (where he had his best performances) and West Ham, becoming one of the most experienced South African footballers at the international level.
Benni McCarthy’s biggest regret is definitely missing out on the 2010 World Cup, representing his country only in 1998 and 2002. McCarthy is not part of the 1996 Generation and has never won an important trophy with Bafana Bafana.
Patrick Ntsoelengoe – A great career truly damaged by apartheid
Patrick Ntsoelengoe is considered by many to be the greatest footballing talent not only in South Africa but across the continent. His biggest obstacle to a brilliant career was the apartheid regime, which excluded the South African national team from international competitions; Ntsoelengoe played for 13 years (1971/1984) starting his career at Kaizer Chiefs and then moving to the USA, wearing the jerseys of Minnesota, Denver and Toronto.
Patrick Ntsoelengoe was nicknamed “Ace” and is still considered the best talent ever for South African football, which has been tremendously damaged by national politics.
