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By Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Football Journalist


Benni compares Nodada to Chelsea’s Kante

The City coach believes Nodada is one of the few players in the country who has what it takes to play anywhere in the world and his work ethic speaks for itself. 


Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes Thabo Nodada can play in all the biggest leagues in Europe and has compared him to English Premiership side Chelsea’s N’golo Kante.

The City coach believes Nodada is one of the few players in the country who has what it takes to play anywhere in the world and his work ethic speaks for itself.

READ: Benni’s advice to Tau ahead of Real Madrid clash

“I think he has what it takes to play in all the biggest leagues in Europe. It takes a lot to say that because I don’t think there are lot of players in South Africa that I can say from what I’ve seen that have what it takes. It takes more than talent, I think you need tenacity, you need passion, you need to play the game like you used to when you played on the streets. And this is the kid, every single time he is able to put his feet on the pitch it’s a mission to take him off. Where do you see that in our football today?”

“When they say nine o’clock in the dressing room, some of them come at one minute past nine or two minutes past nine, there is no responsibility. And it is small little details that show you the player’s willingness and desire to play at the level where they deserve to be. I don’t know at other clubs, but next to me here is an example of a professional player. Never late, never miss training, always wants to do more and in the games you see it. He runs the most and people say he is not this or he is not that. But If I were to make comparison, I will say you take N’golo Kante out at Chelsea and put Thabo Nodada in, people won’t spot a difference. He has what it takes, it just a matter of getting an opportunity or someone to get him there, I don’t know who,” commented McCarthy.

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