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Somma the next Benni?

Johannesburg - Former national team skipper Lucas Radebe has backed Bafana Bafana striker Davide Somma to follow in the footsteps of Benni McCarthy.

Somma made his debut for Bafana against the USA in a friendly international in November last year and has formed part of the national team squad since.

The former San Jose Earthquakes ace has also been named in Pitso Mosimane's squad that will do battle against Egypt in a crucial 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier next month.

The former Kaizer Chiefs defender believes that the 26-year-old is now a vital part of the Bafana set-up and says he has all the qualities to become a "prolific" goalscorer for his country - not unlike McCarthy, who is South Africa's all time leading marksman with 31 goals in 79 games.

"He is great. Actually, I did mention him to Pitso a while ago, because I go down to Leeds now and then and I told Pitso I have heard about him," Radebe told Football365.co.za.

"What a great guy and what great potential as well. You know when I saw him I realised that he can offer something different to the national team, especially as a striker, because he can score goals.

"Because we need someone who is going to be prolific like Benni McCarthy, someone we can put our faith on and someone who is quality and I think that Davide Somma is that kind of player.

"He can come into the team and do something different and hopefully he can score goals and help us achieve big things you know, because he has the experience that we need."

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