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Benni McCarthy: A story of courage, grit and love
Benni McCarthy (center) during training session with Manchester United's first team at Aon Training Complex, Manchester on February 22, 2023.
What you need to know:
- McCarthy’s childhood was overshadowed by crime, poverty, and the harsh realities of his surroundings.
- For the teenage ‘Benni’, football was an escape route and his talent shone brightly amidst chaos of gang violence.
From the gang-riddled streets of Hanover Park in Cape Town's notorious Cape Flats, to the hallowed turf of Old Trafford, and now, to the helm of Kenya's Harambee Stars, Benedict Saul McCarthy's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
McCarthy, a name synonymous with football passion and resilience, has taken the reins as the head coach of Kenya’s national football team. He was officially unveiled on Monday afternoon in Nairobi on a two-year deal.
His journey from the rough streets of Cape Town in South Africa to the helm of Kenyan football is a tale of redemption, determination, and an unwavering love for the game.
Born on November 12, 1977, in Hanover Park, a township known for its struggles, McCarthy’s early life was filled with challenges. His childhood was overshadowed by crime, poverty, and the harsh realities of his surroundings. Many young boys in his neighbourhood fell prey to gang culture.
For the teenage ‘Benni’, football was an escape route and his talent shone brightly even amidst the chaos of the gang violence.
“The streets were tough, but the pitch was my sanctuary,” he is on record as saying.
Eddie ‘Bok American’ Adams, a local gangster and leader of the Americans gang, spotted a 15-year-old McCarthy effortlessly dribbling past defenders during a turf war. "Benni McCarthy saved my life," Adams declares.
Between January and September 2024, just two square kilometres of this unforgiving landscape saw 29 murders, 24 stabbings, and 244 shootings. This is the reality of the Cape Flats, a place where the echo of gunshots is as familiar as the call to prayer.
Adams, a seasoned drug dealer and former left-back for his beloved Crusaders team, was an apex predator in this environment. But that Sunday, amidst the chaos, he saw something that changed everything. He saw talent, raw and undeniable.
"I saw these four boys playing football. Benni was one of them. He would dribble each of them. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The boy had so much talent," Adams recalls.
He knew he needed McCarthy for the Crusaders. But getting the young talent to play for a gangster was no easy feat.
New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy receives his contract from FKF president Hussein Mohammed during his unveiling in Nairobi on March 3, 2025.
Fear was a constant companion in the Cape Flats, and McCarthy had witnessed the devastating consequences of gang violence firsthand.
"I was later told that when Benni was 11, his best friend, Reginald, was shot by mistake while playing football," Adams reveals. "Apparently, Reginald was super talented."
Despite his reservations, McCarthy, swayed by the promise of R1,000 (about Sh7,097 at current rates) per tournament win – a fortune in 1992 – agreed. More importantly, his father allowed it.
"If it weren't for that man, I wouldn't be here (in terms of football achievements)," McCarthy says, acknowledging the debt of gratitude he owes to the gangster. "The gangsters would look for the best talents at the Cape Flats to dominate the league."
The ‘Gangster League’ was a strange paradox. Amidst the violence, Sundays were sacred. The fighting paused, and the fields became a stage for the beautiful game.
"There was total silence on a Sunday; the only noise you’d hear was the celebrations," McCarthy remembers.
Nassir Benjamin, McCarthy's childhood friend and Crusaders captain, recalls the stark reality of their situation. "Some of us didn't have food at home; Bok used to sell drugs, so that's how he was able to take care of us who played for him."
McCarthy thrived in this environment, playing against older, more hardened men. He learned to adapt, to anticipate, to survive. He was a diamond in the rough, polished by the harsh realities of his surroundings.
His talent was undeniable. One Sunday in a game, he caught the eye of Seven Stars, a former SA premier division team, and the rest, as they say, is history. Adams paid for his clearance, a small price for a life-changing discovery.
His journey took him from the dusty fields of Hanover Park to the hallowed grounds of Ajax Cape Town, Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, West Harm United, Blackburn Rovers and Porto.
New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy displays his contract alongside FKF president Hussein Mohammed during his unveiling in Nairobi on March 3, 2025.
Adjusting to the disciplined environment of European football was a challenge. "In joining Ajax, I came from having no rules to being told exactly what to do," McCarthy admitted.
His two-year stint at Ajax Amsterdam yielded a league title and a consistent goal-scoring record. His 1997-98 season saw him contribute 10 goals, followed by 11 in his second year, prompting a record-breaking 6 million Euros transfer to Celta Vigo in Spain. At the time, this was the highest transfer fee ever paid for a South African player.
However, McCarthy's time in La Liga was less prolific. He managed 22 goals in 96 appearances over three seasons before a loan move to FC Porto in Portugal revitalized his career.
At Porto, McCarthy found his stride. The 2001-02 loan period saw him score 13 goals in 12 games, convincing the Portuguese club to make the move permanent. The arrival of Jose Mourinho further amplified McCarthy's impact.
The 2003-04 season was a watershed moment. McCarthy's 20 league goals earned him the Golden Boot, and his overall tally of 25 goals contributed significantly to Porto's historic Uefa Champions League victory. This achievement cemented his place in history as the first and only South African to lift the coveted trophy.
A subsequent move to Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League saw McCarthy enjoy a successful four-year spell. His debut season was particularly memorable, with 18 league goals and 25 across all competitions, nearly securing him the Premier League Golden Boot.
After a less successful stint at West Ham United, McCarthy returned to South Africa, joining Orlando Pirates. He continued to find the net, contributing to their 2011-12 PSL title victory, as well as MTN8 and Telkom Knock-out triumphs.
The 47-year-old’s trophy cabinet boasts an Eredivisie title, two KNVB Cups with Ajax, a Uefa Intertoto Cup with Celta Vigo, and two league titles, a Champions League trophy, and three domestic cups with Porto.
On the international stage, McCarthy was a key figure for Bafana Bafana. He was a part of the team that finished second at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named Player of the Tournament.
He retired from international football in 2012 as South Africa's all-time leading scorer, with 31 goals in 79 appearances.
Former Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi (right) with new Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy and goalkeepers trainer Moeneeb Josephs in Nairobi on March 3, 2025.
But retirement was merely the beginning of another adventure. He transitioned into coaching, bringing his vast experience and tactical acumen to the touchline. He prioritised professional development, culminating in the acquisition of a prestigious Uefa Pro License.
His coaching journey commenced in April 2015 with the Under-20s at Scottish club Hibernian, a valuable experience gained while pursuing his coaching badges. This was followed by a brief stint as assistant coach at Belgian side Sint-Truidense, which he left due to personal reasons.
McCarthy's first managerial role arrived on June 13, 2017, when he was appointed head coach of Cape Town City FC in SA. He quickly made his mark, guiding the team to their maiden trophy, the MTN8, in 2018. However, a string of poor results led to his dismissal on November 4, 2019.
His next challenge came on December 14, 2020, when he took the reins at AmaZulu FC.
He achieved remarkable success in Durban, leading them to a historic second-place finish in the 2020-21 South African top-flight season.
This achievement secured their qualification for the CAF Champions League, where they reached the group stages. Despite this success, McCarthy's tenure ended on March 25, 2022.
Benni McCarthy when he was coach of South African side AmaZulu.
The pinnacle of his coaching career materialised in July 2022, when he joined Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Manchester United. For two years, he served as the club's forwards coach, contributing to the team's tactical development until his departure in June 2024.
The ‘Kapstad’-born mentor replaced Engin Firat, who resigned in December after failure to ensure the Harambee Stars quality for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to be here in Kenya. I am delighted and I can’t really wait to start our new journey…making Kenya again one of the powerhouses in Africa,” said McCarthy.
His arrival coincides with a crucial period for Harambee Stars. He faces an immediate test in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, with an away fixture against Gambia followed by a home match against Gabon this month.
Beyond the World Cup qualifiers, McCarthy is also focused on delivering a strong performance at the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (Chan), co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August. He aims to maximise the team's potential in this prestigious continental tournament.
