NAIROBI, Kenya, February 2, 2026 -- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up on his extraordinary football journey with the release of his autobiography.
The autobiography, titled 'Benni', traces his rise from the tough streets of South Africa's Cape Flats to the pinnacle of world football and now to the helm of the Kenyan national team.
Described by legendary coach José Mourinho as a player who had "everything that a coach loves," McCarthy remains South Africa's most successful footballer.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
He is Bafana Bafana's all-time leading scorer, the country's only UEFA Champions League winner, and one of the few African players to score at both the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup -- in France in 1998 and 2002 in South Korea and Japan.
The autobiography details McCarthy's early life growing up amid gang violence, a background that shaped his resilience and uncompromising mentality.
As a teenager, he left South Africa to chase his dream in Europe, going on to play for top clubs in the Netherlands, Spain and England, before reaching the summit of club football with FC Porto, where he was a key figure in Mourinho's historic Champions League-winning side in 2003/04.
On the international stage, McCarthy was a proven big-game player, finishing as top scorer at the 1998 AFCON finals in Burkina Faso and delivering on the world's biggest stage at the World Cup.
Yet, the book also lifts the lid on his turbulent relationship with South African football authorities, marked by clashes with administrators and coaches, and a love-hate bond with Bafana Bafana that often overshadowed his achievements.
Since hanging up his boots, McCarthy has transitioned seamlessly into coaching.
He has won silverware in South Africa, sharpened his craft on the Manchester United coaching staff, and is now tasked with building a competitive Harambee Stars side ahead of Kenya's historic hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The autobiography paints a picture of a man who has consistently defied the odds, from confronting neighbourhood gang bosses, to navigating football politics, to standing firm on his principles even when it came at personal cost.
As he leads Kenya into a new era, McCarthy's story offers insight into the mindset of a coach shaped by adversity, elite success and an unyielding belief in his football philosophy, a journey that continues to unfold with Harambee Stars at the centre of Africa's football future.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The book is available for purchase via Amazon.
