Thandani Ntshumayelo Reveals What Set Benni McCarthy Apart in the Orlando Pirates Dressing Room

Thandani Ntshumayelo Reveals What Set Benni McCarthy Apart in the Orlando Pirates Dressing Room

Abigael Wafula 20:20 - 13.06.2025

Thandani Ntshumayelo has recalled moments that revealed what truly set Harambee Stars boss Benni McCarthy apart.

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Thandani ‘Bibo’ Ntshumayelo has opened up about what makes Harambee Stars boss Benni McCarthy different from the rest.

The former Orlando Pirates star, Thandani Ntshumayelo, went down memory lane on how life was playing with the Bafana Bafana legend.

He was speaking in a podcast interview with Apex Sports International, where he reflected on a lot of milestones in his career, pointing out that Benni McCarthy also played a huge role in shaping him.

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Thandani Ntshumayelo on What Makes Benni McCarthy Different

Benni McCarthy

Thandani Ntshumayelo spent his early years at Orlando Pirates sharing a change room with Benni McCarthy. The former Bafana Bafana striker played for the Buccaneers between 2011 until his retirement in 2013.

Ntshumayelo revealed that Benni McCarthy had an ambition, and he always wanted to show up and win matches.

He revealed that playing with the former Manchester United attacking coach changed an aspect of his mentality, since despite the wealth Benni McCarthy had, he never wanted to go down without a fight.

Bibo recalled one time when Benni McCarthy called him out for playing like he was not interested, adding that he admired how his compatriot was always truthful.

"With Benni McCarthy, you don't talk about talent, finances, it was about how he did not want to lose in everything he was doing. That guy has got money, but he doesn’t even want to lose in training," he revealed.

"There was a time we played Ajax (now Cape Town Spurs), we played them away. That game, I was playing sh*t, I was k*k. I think I was man-marking Thulani Serero, so whenever we got the ball, I was tired because Thulani was hard to play against at that time.

"So when we got the ball, I was under pressure to make the team play, but I was tired. I remember at half-time, Benni shouted at me and Daine Klate. He used to call me 'shorty' and told me to my face that I was playing k*k!"

Despite playing with Benni McCarthy and wanting to surpass what his teammate had achieved, including playing in Europe, Bibo would suffer a setback during his prime after testing positive for cocaine.

In January 2016, he received a four-year ban from football by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. He appealed the ban and successfully won, resuming his career in 2018.

Ntshumayelo would sign a deal with Baroka FC for the 2018/19 season. He later joined Moroka Swallows but left the team in 2021 before retiring from professional football in 2023.

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