Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes Thabo Nodada has the quality to play in all the biggest leagues in Europe and has compared him to Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.

The 24-year-old midfielder was out of action for a few months due to injury, but returned with a bang after bagging a brace during their 3-3 draw with SuperSport United.

Nodada’s form continued into the next game when he opened the scoring during their 3-3 draw with Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium over the weekend.

However, McCarthy believes that the young midfielder has the potential and professionalism to make it abroad among Europe’s elite.

‘I think he has what it takes to play in all the biggest leagues in Europe. It takes a lot to say that because I don’t think there are lot of players in South Africa that I can say from what I’ve seen that have what it takes. It takes more than talent; I think you need tenacity, you need passion, you need to play the game like you used to when you played on the streets. And this is the kid, every single time he is able to put his feet on the pitch it’s a mission to take him off. Where do you see that in our football today?

‘When they say nine o’clock in the dressing room, some of them come at one minute past nine or two minutes past nine, there is no responsibility. And it is small little details that show you the player’s willingness and desire to play at the level where they deserve to be. I don’t know at other clubs, but next to me here is an example of a professional player.

‘Never late, never miss training, always wants to do more and in the games you see it. He runs the most and people say he is not this or he is not that. But If I were to make comparison, I will say you take N’golo Kante out at Chelsea and put Thabo Nodada in, people won’t spot a difference. He has what it takes, it just a matter of getting an opportunity or someone to get him there, I don’t know who,’ Benni told the media.