South Africa coach Joel Santana has told Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy he has a key role to play until the 2010 World Cup.McCarthy played his first match for Bafana Bafana since missing a series of the country's African Nations Cup qualifiers during the summer in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Australia.

The 30-year-old, who set up the opener for Siyabonga Nkosi at Loftus Road but looked unfit, is South Africa's top marksman and Santana insisted he remains a crucial figure.

"Benni knows how to hold the ball up and doesn't allow defenders to pass. He passes to our midfielders as well," he said.

"I hope he will be a regular over next two years but football is always a surprise. I wanted him for the previous games but that was not possible. We hope he's going to stay with us."

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