Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Pens Sweet 19th Birthday Tribute To Daughter Mya

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has shared a beautiful message for his daughter's birthday. 

The Kenyan national football team gaffer took to Instagram to pen an emotional post for his daughter, Mya, who just turned 19.

The South African tactician, known for his passion both on and off the field, poured his heart out in a touching tribute that quickly caught the attention of his fans and followers.

McCarthy, who is currently steering Kenya’s Harambee Stars in their quest for continental success, rarely opens up about his family life. 

However, on this special day, he made an exception to celebrate one of his most cherished relationships — that of a proud father and his beloved daughter. 

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The 47-year-old coach has always expressed how much his family means to him, often referring to them as his greatest source of motivation.

The emotional post was shared on his verified Instagram account, where McCarthy posted a sweet message alongside a photo of Mya. The football legend wrote:

“Happy 19th Birthday to my daughter Mya 🎉 Papi te quiero mucho ❤️ @myaamccarthyy 10/10/06,” he wrote.

McCarthy followers flooded the comment section with birthday wishes for Mya and words of admiration for the coach’s love and humility as a father.

McCarthy is a proud father of five children from two marriages. During his time at FC Porto, he met his first wife, Spanish artist Maria Santos, whom he married in 2000. 

The couple had three daughters together — Minna, Miya, and Allegra — before parting ways in 2007 while he was playing for Blackburn Rovers in England.

In 2014, McCarthy found love again and married Scottish model and former Miss Edinburgh, Stacey Munro, after the two met in Edinburgh in 2008. 

Together, they have two children — a daughter named Lima Rose and a son, Lio Romero. Lima was born in 2012, two years before the couple tied the knot in a lavish, soccer-themed wedding ceremony.

McCarthy once opened up about how he met Stacey, telling the Scottish Daily Express: 

“We met in Edinburgh. I went there on a shoot and she was one of those pretty girls they have as extras. I couldn’t concentrate on what I was supposed to do.”

The couple has since built a strong family foundation, often sharing glimpses of their family life on social media.

Before his coaching career, McCarthy was celebrated as one of Africa’s most talented strikers. 

He played for top clubs such as Ajax, Porto, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United, and achieved legendary status at Porto under José Mourinho, helping the Portuguese side lift the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Inspired by Mourinho, McCarthy later pursued coaching and took charge of South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu. 

His coaching journey then led him to Manchester United, where he served as a first-team coach under Erik ten Hag between 2022 and 2024. During his time at Old Trafford, he played a key role in the team’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories.

In March 2025, McCarthy was appointed as the new Harambee Stars coach by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). 

Although Harambee Stars has failed to make it to the World Cup, he has brought renewed energy and tactical expertise to Kenya’s national team setup.