Latest news with #Benni
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Everything you did AND didn't know about the great Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy, goalscorer supreme. Image: Goal Former Orlando Pirates, Bafana Bafana and FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy did a whole lot more than win the Champions League. First of all, let's deal with the reputational things. Benni is Bafana's all-time leading goal-scorer with 31 goals from 80 caps, and he's the first and only South African footballer to win the UEFA Champions League. There is a certain status attached to an individual with these special accolades. Benedict Saul 'Benni' McCarthy was born in Cape Town and grew up in Hanover Park. Benni McCarthy is the first and only South African winner of the UEFA Champions League. On top of that, he also won domestic league titles in Portugal, the Netherlands and South Africa. McCarthy is Bafana Bafana's all-time leading scorer with 31 strikes for the national team in 80 caps. Benni made his debut for South Africa in 1997 as a teenager under legendary manager Clive Barker. His playing career in Europe took him to Ajax, Celta Vigo, FC Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United. After he guided AmaZulu into the CAF Champions League in 2021, Benni was unofficially given the nickname Mr Benni Makathini, Zulu Warrior. Benni speaks four languages, namely, English, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese. McCarthy scored 18 goals in the 2006-07 Premier League season for Blackburn, ending as the second-top scorer. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo struck 17 times in that campaign. In October 2007, Benni McCarthy finished a sequence of scoring with 10 consecutive shots on target in the Premier League. Manchester United unveil Benni Mccarthy as striker's coach. Image: Manchester United website. Benni McCarthy started his coaching journey at Sint-Truiden, where he was the Belgian club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2016. He then presided over 89 matches at Cape Town City as their head coach, winning the MTN9 in 2018-2019. His next head coach role was with AmaZulu, a club he guided to the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history. All of those roles preceded arguably his most glamorous position to date: first-team attacking coach at Manchester United. With the 2023-2024 FA Cup now in his cabinet, Benni's tasted success in the dugout on two occasions and will want more of that feeling. Mr McCarthy is now the head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. Benni's 2011 Rabbit Food diet Two-time Primeira Liga winner with Porto. Dutch Eredivisie champion with Ajax Amsterdam in 1998. Champion of South Africa with Orlando Pirates in 2011-12. Nedbank Cup and MTN8 winner in 2011, also with Pirates. Until 2023 when Lyle Foster made the switch to Burnley, Benni was the most expensive South African footballer of all time. He moved from Ajax to Celta Vigo for €6m in 1999. Benni in a Buccaneers jersey. Image: SoccerLaduma Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Test your B20 knowledge with this 2-minute survey – AND WIN R2 000!
The South African
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Benni McCarthy ate rabbit food to sort his life out at Orlando Pirates
Benni McCarthy resorted to desperate measures in 2011 to sort out his physique while enjoying a short stint with Orlando Pirates. Benni McCarthy has been harshly criticised for his weight gain since switching from player to coach. It must be difficult to transition from elite athlete to tactician, though. Besides, how many of those throwing shade at Benni are in perfect shape themselves? Not many, I guess. McCarthy's bloated figure was the primary reason he parted ways with the then-English Premiership club, West Ham, in April 2011. The Hammers ordered him to lose weight in three months to make the squad in the 2010-11 Premier League campaign. Benni, who hails from Hanover Park township in Cape Town, first played in the domestic Premiership in 1997 for the Cape Town Spurs. 'I've changed my lifestyle and eating habits,' he said back in 2011 when he was an Orlando Pirates player. 'I can't even say how much I weighed because I never wanted to know. When I jumped onto the scale I was only happy to know that my weight was going down. 'I figured out that if I or other players can embark on a healthy diet, one can almost feel younger for longer. Our bodies are our weapons that we must look after.' Benni McCarthy started his coaching journey at Sint-Truiden, where he was the Belgian club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2016. He then presided over 89 matches at Cape Town City as their head coach, winning the MTN9 in 2018-2019. His next head coach role was with AmaZulu, a club he guided to the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history. All of those roles preceded arguably his most glamorous position to date: first-team attacking coach at Manchester United. With the 2023-2024 FA Cup now in his cabinet, Benni's tasted success in the dugout on two occasions and will want more of that feeling. Mr McCarthy is now the head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. Benni McCarthy, goalscorer supreme. Image: Goal Is Benni the greatest player in South African football history? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
TRANSFERS: NINE huge names linked with Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates want to strengthen their playing squad. Let's take a look at some of the big names linked with a move. ADVERTISEMENT Orlando Pirates wrap up Mashiloane, Kgositsile signings According to UnplayableZA on X, 23-year-old Tshepo Mashiloane will join Pirates from Baroka FC. The versatile star can operate at right-back or in central midfield. There are reports that Pirates are also close to wrapping up a deal for Baroka's winger Kabelo Kgositsile. Other names linked with Pirates Fiston Mayele To make it financially viable, Pirates would need to sell some surplus stars to raise the reported R12 million needed to sign Fiston Mayele. Even though the club already has several top strikers, there's no harm in adding another. If Pirates decide to cash in on either Evidence Makgopa or Tshegofatso Mabasa, they'll need a replacement. It's unlikely both players will stick around with no guarantee of starting every league game. Congolese marksman Mayele broke Pirates hearts in the Champions League semi-final second leg with a decisive brace; he's got eight goals in 11 appearances in that competition this season. Throughout his career, he has scored 21 goals and supplied four assists from 35 in Africa's premier club competition. Click for the story Vuyo Letlapa According to Soccer-Laduma, Sekhukhune left-back Vuyo Letlapa is poised for a move to Nice in France's Ligue 1. The 21-year-old has made 22 league appearances this term with four assists. Click for the story Is this the best Orlando Pirates XI after Riveiro leaves? ADVERTISEMENT Masindi Nemtajela It's unlikely that wholesale changes will be made to a settled, predominantly young squad. However, there are a couple of key areas needing improvement. 24-year-old Marumo Gallants midfield general Masindi Nemtajela is seen as a natural successor to the impressive but ageing Makhehlene Makhaula. Djibril Ouattara According to Soccer Laduma, Burkinabe striker Djibril Ouattara could make a move to Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates in the winter window. The 25-year-old has 12 goals in 10 matches for APR FC in Rwanda this season. He's also got experience with the Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem. He's also scored twice in 14 caps for Burkina Faso. Click for the story Benni to return in the dugout? Meanwhile, the romantics in football want to see a return to the club for Benni McCarthy. This time, as their manager. Can it happen? Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena are two other blockbuster names in the hat. Click for the story Click for more on Benni ADVERTISEMENT Benni in a Buccaneers jersey. Image: SoccerLaduma Which of these names would you like to see arriving at the club? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
When is Orlando Pirates vs Galaxy?
Orlando Pirates must remain professional for the remainder of the campaign, although there's nothing more for them to win. Orlando Pirates will be eager to give Jose Riveiro a proper sendoff in their remaining fixtures. The first one of those is against TS Galaxy on Saturday, 17 May, with kickoff at 15:00. Makhehlene Makhaula will miss the match after being ruled out for the rest of the season. Benni McCarthy started his coaching journey at Sint-Truiden, where he was the Belgian club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2016. He then presided over 89 matches at Cape Town City as their head coach, winning the MTN9 in 2018-2019. His next head coach role was with AmaZulu, a club he guided to the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history. All of those roles preceded arguably his most glamorous position to date: first-team attacking coach at Manchester United. With the 2023-2024 FA Cup now in his cabinet, Benni's tasted success in the dugout on two occasions and will want more of that feeling. Mr McCarthy is now the head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. Click for more on Benni Will Orlando Pirates give Riveiro a proper sendoff? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Three blockbuster names to replace Jose Riveiro
Orlando Pirates need to hire a big name to replace the outgoing Jose Riveiro. Is Pitso Mosimane in the running? Benni McCarthy started his coaching journey at Sint-Truiden, where he was the Belgian club's assistant manager from 2015 to 2016. He then presided over 89 matches at Cape Town City as their head coach, winning the MTN9 in 2018-2019. His next head coach role was with AmaZulu, a club he guided to the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history. All of those roles preceded arguably his most glamorous position to date: first-team attacking coach at Manchester United. With the 2023-2024 FA Cup now in his cabinet, Benni's tasted success in the dugout on two occasions and will want more of that feeling. Mr McCarthy is now the head coach of Kenya's Harambee Stars. Click for more on Benni Serial winner with Sundowns while on South African soil, Rulani is still just 38 years old. It's frightening to think just how good he can still become as a manager. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Pitso 'Jingles' Mosimane has trotted around the globe coaching teams to success. Sure, it's not all been plain sailing, but with three Caf Champions League crowns on his CV, Pitso could be JUST the man to add a second star for Pirates. He's also won the Betway Premiership four times. Just saying. Click for today's rumours on Mabasa, Makgopa and Mayele! Pitso Mosimane while he was in charge of Al Ahly in Egypt. Image: KingFut Who's your pick for the job? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
