A rift is developing between Blackburn Rovers teammates Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy.

McCarthy failed to arrive for the first day of preparations ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Abuja, drawing criticism from his Rovers and South Africa teammate Aaron Mokoena.

"It's always Benni, Benni, Benni. I do not know his reasons for not showing but I have confidence in our players to beat Nigeria with or without Benni," Mokoena told a news conference.