European-based striker Lebo Mothiba has, over the last year or two, grown so much as a player and made a name for himself in the French Ligue 1.
While he is yet to make a strong mark in national colours, be it for Bafana or previously the junior national teams, Mothiba is a natural-born goal scorer who can help Bafana qualify for major tournaments regularly. And the two goals he scored in the Four Nations Tournament earlier this year - against Zambia and Angola - were just a an early indication of what's to come from the player.
Mothiba made a move from Lille to Strasbourg during the transfer window a couple of months ago and he has enjoyed an incredible start to life with his new club.
This past weekend Mothiba got on the score sheet twice to give Strasbourg a 2-0 lead against Angers SCO, but they could not hold on as the hosts came back to collect a point in a 2-2 draw.
Mothiba took his tally of goals in the French Ligue 1 to five goals to go with his one assist, and he’s only just begun.
At age 22, Mothiba still has the potential to grow into one of the best strikers in the world, just as McCarthy was during his time with FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers.
After missing out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya last month, Mothiba will be hoping to get an opportunity to prove himself in a national team jersey.
Percy Tau has been the man trusted to start upfront for Bafana coach Stuart Baxter, but a partnership with Mothiba could just be what the nation needs to get their qualifying campaign back on track.