Benni McCarthy: Harambee Stars Coach Thrilled as New Project Nears Completion

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is set to share his unfiltered football story with the rest of the world after announcing the release date of his biography.

McCarthy, one of the greatest South African and African players, enjoyed a great playing career, winning numerous titles with teams in Europe before getting into coaching upon his retirement.

A lot has been written about him but the 48-year-old has opted to tell it his story himself and all will be in his biography titled ‘BENNI’ which will be released in February.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

“My biography BENNI will be released in February 2026. Looking forward to sharing this book with you,” McCarthy posted on Instagram on Wednesday.

Co-authored by McCarthy and veteran football writer and commentator Mark Gleeson, the biography is published by Pan Macmillan South Africa and has a foreword by legendary manager Jose Mourinho, who coached the Harambee Stars boss at FC Porto.

"Benni had everything that a coach loves in a player,” reads part of the foreword from Mourinho, who won two Portuguese league titles and the 2004 UEFA Champions League with McCarthy as his centre-forward.

The biography will provide accounts of McCarthy’s journey from the gang-ridden streets of Hanover Park on the Cape Flats to the grandest stages of world football.

"Benni’s journey is one of the inspiring South African success stories,” Terry Morris, Managing Director of Pan Macmillan South Africa, said in an interview last month.

“This candid and honest book will resonate deeply with readers, not only because of his exceptional sporting success, but because of the grit and determination that define Benni’s character."

McCarthy’s football journey took him through Seven Stars and then Ajax Cape Town in South Africa after which he signed for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam as a teenager in 1997, going on to win the Eredivisie and two Dutch Cups before moving to Spanish side Celta Vigo in 1999.

He played at Celta for four seasons, in between a loan spell at FC Porto (2001-02) before moving to the Portuguese club permanently in 2003, staying there until 2006, when he joined Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.

McCarthy would sign for West Ham after four years at Blackburn, spending two years at the West London club, before finishing his career with a flourish back home with Orlando Pirates where he led them to the league title in 2012, their last one to date.

McCarthy, who featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup, remains South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals from 79 appearances.