Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Snubbed as South African Tactician Gets Nod for Orlando Pirates Job

Harambee Stars coach and Bafana Bafana football legend Benni McCarthy (Photo Courtesy: The South African).

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Harambee Stars coach and Bafana Bafana football legend Benni McCarthy (Photo Courtesy: The South African).

Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Snubbed as South African Tactician Gets Nod for Orlando Pirates Job

Stephen Awino 13:45 - 22.04.2025

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been in the news lately, being linked to the Orlando Pirates job as a potential Jose Riveiro successor.

South Africa tactician Jacky Ledwaba has opened up on why assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi should be considered as successor to Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro.

This comes on the back of top South African and foreign coaches being linked to the Buccaneers job, including Bafana Bafana legend and Kenyan national football team coach Benni McCarthy.

According to Ledwaba, Pirates should look within their club structure instead of scouting outside to replace the Spaniard at the South African giants.

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Mandla Ncikazi Gets Nod

Mandla Ncikazi gets nod of approval to replace Jose Riveiro as Benni McCarthy snubbed.
Mandla Ncikazi gets nod of approval to replace Jose Riveiro as Benni McCarthy snubbed. (Credit: SABC)

"For me, I could say, continue with the coaches who have been working with him. They understand the system very well, and the players will also understand that system, which will see the team continue from where coach Jose could have left. So I think continuity could be the best way to go," the tactician told SNL24 as per Goal.com.

"You have seen with other teams where the assistant coaches take over and the team does well. They should give it a try. The players already know these coaches," he added.

"You know, sometimes it takes a long time to get used to a new coach. Sometimes it works, like it did with Riveiro, but keeping the same coaches who worked with him could be the best way," Ledwaba noted.

How Benni McCarthy Came into the Picture

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy during a training session with local players. Photo/FKF Media.

The Harambee Stars coach, Benni McCarthy, just months into his tenure as the Kenyan national football team coach, has emerged as a top prospect linked with the Orlando Pirates job.

As previously reported by Pulse Sports, the tactician, who has been tasked with guiding Kenya through the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), was among the names associated with replacing Jose Riveiro at Orlando Pirates.

The move, in the eyes of fans and stakeholders calling for his return, is seen as an opportunity to cement his already great South African football legacy.

Apart from being Bafana Bafana's all-time top scorer, McCarthy also guided South African sides AmaZulu and Cape Town City, the former winning the South African championship under his tenure.

However, the former Manchester United first-team coach is contracted to the Harambee Stars, and the move will most likely not materialize.

McCarthy is focused on guiding the Harambee Stars through the remainder of their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers fixtures and the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), also to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Pirates still have to navigate their CAF Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Pyramids, while also in contention for the Nedbank Cup title.