Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: Benni McCarthy too fat to play for South Africa
Benni McCarthy has been told to lose weight or miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play in a World Cup on home soil.[LNB] The striker, whose fitness has also caused concern at West Ham, was an unused substitute during South Africa's 4-0 win against Bryan Robson's Thailand side at the weekend. [LNB]National team boss Carlos Alberto Parreira is minded not to call on McCarthy for the friendly against Bulgaria next Monday, leaving just the clash against Colombia three days later before a squad of 23 is confirmed on June 1. [LNB] Fat chance: McCarthy must slim down before he can play for South Africa[LNB]'He is overweight, with high body fat percentage and a lower physical state than the rest of the team,' said South Africa fitness coach Francisco Gonzalez. [LNB]'We started specific work with him last week but the question is, will he be ready for the World Cup? Only Parreira can answer that! [LNB]'What's the point of having a player who isn't in a good physical condition and therefore useless to the coach. [LNB]'To go to the World Cup you have to be technically and physically well and today he (McCarthy) is not in a good shape to play; not in the ideal condition.[LNB]'We will offer him all the support so he can get back to shape, but it doesn't only depend on the technical committee it's depends on him as well. We are only going to launch him - if he wants to help us.'[LNB] McCarthy left Blackburn in January after clashing with Sam Allardyce over the need to do extra training, but the 32-year-old has since started just two matches for West Ham.[LNB] Austria's hills are alive with the sound of England's hopefuls Injured William Gallas has one last chance to keep his World Cup dream alive Capello was getting desperate when he asked Scholes back, says NevilleStoke goalkeeper Sorensen winning race to be fit for South Africa Boateng feels fury of Germany as Ballack is ruled out of World CupLampard calls on Capello to keep him on the spot for England [LNB]
