Mohamed Allie BBC Sport, Cape Town

Benni McCarthy returns after a self-imposed 20-month exile

South Africa striker Benni McCarthy may have returned to the national team but he still hasn't sorted out his differences with the South Africa Football Association (Safa).

The 29-year-old, who embarked on a self-imposed 20-month exile, returned to the national team for the first time this week since the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

The Blackburn ace was upset about uncomplimentary comments made by Safa vice president Mubarak Mahomed during the disastrous campaign in the tournament.

McCarthy had indicated he would not to play for the national team until he received a public apology from Mahomed.

But he says it was the persuasive powers of national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and the great respect he had for the Brazilian that induced a change of heart.

"I'm playing for the coach, I'm not playing for Safa - they're just an organisation. Whatever happened in the past has happened," McCarthy said.

"The coach persuaded me and made me realise the importance of playing for your country. Safa's not my boss - the coach is my boss and he's the one I'm answerable to.

I'm playing for the coach, I'm not playing for Safa - they're just an organisation Benni McCarthy

"While I'm in his good books I'm happy. I'm glad to be back playing for my country and for the people.

"For now I'm just getting on with playing my football. The coach has given me another opportunity, he has faith me and it's up to me to repay him.

The story with Safa is another issue which we can sort out behind closed doors," the 29-year old striker added.

McCarthy, who is due to make his 66th appearance for Bafana Bafana and his first since the 2-0 defeat to Tunisia at the last Nations Cup on 26 January 2006, is clearly a big fan of Parreira.

"Obviously I've got great respect for him because he's won the World Cup with Brazil and he's coached some of the best players in the world.

"For us to have him as national coach is a great privilege.

Parreira said persuading McCarthy wasn't too difficult a task

"He showed a lot of respect to come to Manchester to talk me out of international retirement which I appreciate," McCarthy added.

Parreira revealed that persuading McCarthy to return to the national team wasn't too difficult a task.

"He was ready to come back. We only spent about five minutes talking about the national team in the three hours we spent together in England," Parreira said.

"His heart was open to come and we wanted him to come.

"I've always said it's a luxury not to have a player like Benni in the team when he's scoring regularly in England.

"To have him back is a happy end to a good marriage," said Parreira.

McCarthy who is South Africa's second top goalscorer with 28 strikes, has now set his sights on surpassing Shaun Bartlett's record of 29.

"I want to get on with playing and try and take Shaun off the top spot," the Blackburn striker said.

He is expected to be in action on Sunday when South Africa take on Zambia in the crucial Group 11 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.