South African Star Close to Following Benni McCarthy’s Lead After Links to Portuguese Giants

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy enjoyed success in Portugal when he played for FC Porto and another South African star could be about to follow in his footsteps.

McCarthy played for Porto from 2003-2006 and won seven trophies, including two Portuguese league titles and the 2004 UEFA Champions League crown, the only South African to achieve that feat.

Since his successful playing days, McCarthy has always encouraged South African players to get out of their comfort zones and test themselves abroad and one of them listened to his advice.

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Winger Mohau Nkota, who moved from Orlando Pirates to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq last summer, is reportedly now attracting the interest of Portuguese giants Benfica.

Nkota is yet to complete a season in Saudi Arabia but Benfica seem to have seen enough to be convinced that he can do a job for them although talks have not advanced yet according to the player’s repetitiveness.

"There has been no decision. We are engaged with his club about his future and several teams about their interest in transferring him," Nkota’s P Management Agency through Karabo Tshabuse told SABC Sport. "If anything happens, it would be a permanent transfer," he added of how they plan to handle the player’s future.

Nkota had started the season in Saudi brilliantly but has seen playing time hard to come by this year, since returning from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 21-year-old has also had to deal with playing out of position, with his club deploying him as a wing-back on some occasions, but he has so far managed two goals and three assists in 18 games across all competitions.

It remains to be seen if Benfica will firm up their interest but it would be a major career jump for the youngster as the club remains the most popular and successful in Portugal and would give him an opportunity to play in the Champions League every season.