Benni McCarthy’s Ex-Club FC Porto Join Growing Queue for South Africa’s World Cup Heroes

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy could be about to witness another South African walk in his footsteps by joining Portuguese giants FC Porto.

McCarthy enjoys cult status at Porto following his highly successful three-year stint that saw him score 59 goals in 125 games while winning seven trophies, among them two league titles and the 2004 UEFA Champions League, the only South African to have lifted the prestigious crown.

Having opened the way, it seems he could see another one from his country play for Porto if latest transfer rumours are to be believed.

According to Africa Soccer, Porto are showing interest in Orlando Pirates' left-winger, Oswin Appollis whose contract expiry date with the South African champions is not publicly listed.

This ambiguity has led to suggestions that the Portuguese club might attempt to sign the 24-year-old for a reduced fee or even as a free agent if his contract has already concluded. The likelihood of a transfer is currently uncertain.

Born in Cape Town, Appollis is a right-footed player who primarily operates on the left wing, making him an effective inverted winger—a profile Porto has often utilised. He had an impressive debut season at Pirates, winning three trophies, including the league title, having signed from Polokwane City last year.

The winger scored 12 goals and added nine assists for Pirates last season before impressing at the 2026 World Cup as Bafana Bafana reached the Round of 32 before losing to Canada.

Meanwhile, Appollis’ friend and Pirates teammate Relebohile Mofokeng is reportedly inching closer to signing for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise who have have offered him a four-year contract.

According to Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad, Union Saint-Gilloise, last season's league runners-up, are making significant strides in the transfer market and are nearing a deal to sign the talented South African.

The move appears to validate recent comments from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who highlighted the World Cup as a crucial platform for his players to attract interest from foreign clubs. Mofokeng seems poised to be the first to capitalise on this opportunity.

Union SG, Belgium's third most successful club with 12 league titles, have reportedly been monitoring Mofokeng for some time. His standout performances for Orlando Pirates, where he was instrumental in their championship-winning season with ten goals and eight assists in 27 games, initially caught their eye.

Another South African player attracting interest from Europe is 20-year-old central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi who was outstanding in their loss to Canada on Sunday.

Mbokazi, who signed for MLS club Chicago Fire in January this year, must not stay in the US for long as up to eight European clubs are reportedly keen on him.

Spanish side Real Betis, English Premier League club Nottingham Forest, Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany, France’s Stade Rennais, Sassuolo Calcio of Italy as well as Belgian giants Anderlecht and Club Brugge are among those credited with an interest and so are Dutch clubs Ajax Amsterdam and FC Utrecht.