On Monday, March 3, 2025, Benni McCarthy will step into a new chapter of his storied football journey as he is unveiled as the head coach of the national team, Harambee Stars.
A South African icon whose career has taken him from the gritty streets of Cape Town to the pinnacle of European football, McCarthy brings a wealth of experience as both a prolific striker and a tactically astute coach.
With a legacy that includes a UEFA Champions League title and a record-breaking goal tally for Bafana Bafana, he now turns his focus to elevating Kenya on the international stage, starting with critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
In this article, WoK looks at the story of a man whose passion for the game has carried him from township pitches.
Early life
McCarthy was born on November 12, 1977, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Raised in Hanover Park, a township on the Cape Flats known for its socio-economic struggles and gang activity, McCarthy’s early life was shaped by adversity.
The son of Dudley and Dora McCarthy, he grew up in a football-loving family with two brothers and a sister.
His older brother, Jerome, played professionally for clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, while his younger brother, Mark, pursued football in the United States.
McCarthy’s talent emerged early, honed on dusty township pitches with local side Young Pirates, managed by his uncles.
By age 17, he joined Seven Stars in South Africa’s first division in 1995, scoring prolifically and setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Club career
McCarthy’s club career spanned South Africa, Europe, and back, establishing him as one of the continent’s finest strikers.
After scoring 39 goals in 49 games for Seven Stars, he briefly played for Cape Town Spurs before Ajax Amsterdam signed him in 1997 following standout performances at youth international tournaments.
At Ajax, he won the Eredivisie in his debut season (1997-98), scoring 10 goals, and added 11 more the next year.
In 1999, McCarthy transferred to Celta Vigo in Spain for €6 million, a record fee for a South African at the time. His three seasons there yielded 22 goals in 96 appearances, though he struggled for consistency.
A 2001-02 loan to FC Porto in Portugal proved transformative, with 12 goals in 11 games. Porto signed him permanently in 2003, and under José Mourinho, he enjoyed his peak years.
In 2003-04, he won the Primeira Liga Golden Boot with 20 goals in 23 matches and scored crucial goals en route to Porto’s UEFA Champions League title, making him the only South African to lift the trophy.
He tallied 46 goals in 85 games for Porto.
In 2006, Blackburn Rovers brought him to the English Premier League for £2.5 million. He excelled, scoring 24 goals in his first season (2006-07), finishing second in the league’s scoring charts.
His Rovers stint produced 52 goals in 140 appearances.
A move to West Ham United in 2010 was less successful, with no goals in 14 games, hampered by fitness issues.
Returning to South Africa in 2011, he joined Orlando Pirates, winning a domestic treble (Premier Soccer League, MTN 8, and Nedbank Cup) in 2011-12, scoring 10 goals in 26 matches before retiring in 2013.
International career
McCarthy is South Africa’s record goalscorer with 31 goals in 80 caps for Bafana Bafana, debuting in 1997 against the Netherlands.
He starred at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring four goals as South Africa finished runners-up, and played at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
His standout international moment came at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored against Spain.
Despite occasional friction with coaches—leading to absences from the 2006 and 2010 AFCON tournaments—his impact on South African football remains unmatched.
Managerial and coaching career
McCarthy began as head coach of Cape Town City in 2017, leading them to the MTN 8 title in his first season.
In 2019, he took over AmaZulu FC, guiding them to a second-place finish in the 2020-21 South African Premier Division, their best-ever result, and a CAF Champions League spot.
His attacking philosophy shone through in both roles.
In 2022, McCarthy joined Manchester United as a first-team coach under Erik ten Hag, focusing on strikers.
He played a key role in Marcus Rashford’s 2022-23 resurgence (30 goals) and helped the team win the 2023 FA Cup.
He left United in June 2024 amid a staff reshuffle.
Now, as he prepares to take charge of Harambee Stars, McCarthy aims to elevate Kenya’s national team, starting with crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon in March 2025.
Accolades
McCarthy holds the record as the all-time top scorer for Bafana Bafana, having netted 31 goals, and proudly represented his nation in two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002.
His club career is equally impressive, marked by significant titles such as the UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup, both won with Porto in 2004.
Additionally, he secured the Portuguese league title twice.
McCarthy’s individual brilliance was recognized with awards like the African Cup of Nations Best Player in 1998 and the Ajax Talent of the Year in 1997-98.
Transitioning to a managerial role, McCarthy continued to demonstrate his leadership and tactical acumen, leading Cape Town City to victory in the MTN8 Cup in 2018, adding another significant achievement to his illustrious career.
