Benni: SA players can't be taught finishing

Cape Town - Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy says that scoring goals is something a player is born with and expecting South African players to improve this aspect at training is largely futile. 

The Citizens boss, who is Bafana Bafana's all-time leading scorer and enjoyed an illustrious career in Europe during his playing days, takes the view that practice does not make perfect when it comes to local stars. 

The former striker has been frustrated this season at his team's tendency to miss opportunities despite creating plenty of goal-scoring chances. With just 23 goals in 24 Premiership matches in 2017/18, it appears his concerns are justified. 

"I'll ask my mother because she gave birth to me and it’s a natural thing. You can't teach that...I've tried. Believe you me I've tried," he told reporters as quoted by Soccer Laduma website.

"Every day for almost 200 and odd days as a manager, as a coach everyday finishing and trying...you can't teach that I'm afraid so. 

"Players have what they have and South Africa must just accept that you know...we are limited when it comes to producing strikers with natural instinct because it is a natural instinct and you can't teach that. 

"We have players that really work hard at it but come game time it's just different and it is what it is."

McCarthy will no doubt hope to return to the goal trail when they face Golden Arrows at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 19:30.