McCarthy reveals how ‘washed up’ jibe pushed him to snub Kaizer Chiefs for Pirates
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 15.03.26. | 20:02
The current Kenya national football team coach enjoyed a stellar playing career in Europe, turning out for clubs such as AFC Ajax, RC Celta de Vigo, FC Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United
Benni McCarthy has revealed the behind-the-scenes drama that pushed him to end his playing career at Orlando Pirates after feeling disrespected by a remark linked to rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
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The current Harambee Stars coach enjoyed a stellar playing career in Europe, turning out for clubs such as AFC Ajax, RC Celta de Vigo, FC Porto, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United.
However, his final stint in England with West Ham proved difficult, with injuries and weight issues affecting his performances.
It also coincided with a turbulent period with the South Africa national football team that eventually saw him left out of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After leaving West Ham, McCarthy returned home as a free agent while searching for a club.
Around that time, reports in South Africa suggested Chiefs were preparing to sign a “big fish,” with many believing it would be the former Champions League winner.
But Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung quickly dismissed the speculation, saying the club was not interested in signing a player past his prime.
Speaking on SuperSport TV, McCarthy admitted the comments did not sit well with him.
“Bobby said apparently to someone when they heard, ‘Hey, I hear you guys are signing Benni.’ And his response was, ‘Kaizer Chiefs don’t sign washed-up players. He is not the only big fish in town,’” McCarthy said.
“That person told a friend of mine and the friend said, ‘Hey my man, I thought you and Bobby were tight.’ I said yes, we are good, and there is mutual respect. I have never had anything against Bobby.”
The remark nearly led to a confrontation between the two.
“He said Bobby said this and that and I was like, ‘Really?’ For me it was to go and ask him, ‘Bro, why are you being disrespectful?’ But I thought it was not the right place and time. I just let it slide,” McCarthy added, revealing he almost confronted Motaung in a nightclub.
Being labelled a “washed-up player” stung deeply for the striker, especially considering he had won major honors, including the UEFA Champions League with Porto.
Soon after, Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza approached him with a proposal.
McCarthy had attended the famous Soweto Derby as a free agent when Khoza requested a meeting.
“At the derby the chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza came and asked, 'Please, can I meet him?' and I said no, I am flying back to Cape Town tomorrow. Then he said, ‘Come at five or six before you go to the airport,’” McCarthy recalled.
When they eventually met, McCarthy was stunned by how much Khoza knew about his career.
“Within 10 minutes the chairman tells me my life story from when I was young. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this guy knows so much about me,’” he said.
Khoza then made a pitch that convinced him.
“He said, 'Pirates will restore your legacy. You come back, put on that Pirates shirt, win what you need to win and earn the respect back that you lost during your fight with Bafana and SAFA."
Despite his family being Chiefs supporters, McCarthy admitted one thought crossed his mind after remembering the earlier remarks.
“I was like, my dad must not know, but then I had that little thing about Bobby, and I was like, 'Okay, Mr. Chairman, done deal. I am coming for Bobby.’”
McCarthy would go on to get his revenge in style.
In his first Soweto Derby for Pirates, he scored twice against Chiefs and made sure his critics noticed.
During his two-year spell at Pirates between 2011 and 2013, he helped the club win three trophies, including their last South African Premier Division title in 2012.