Inside Bafana Bafana Legend Benni McCarthy’s R300 Million Football Career
- Benni McCarthy has already made history with Kenya’s Harambee Stars, just months into his appointment as head coach
- His illustrious playing career included working under the legendary Jose Mourinho and lifting the UEFA Champions League
- McCarthy’s net worth, running into millions of rands, reflects his long years of success on and off the pitch
Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has carved out a unique journey from prolific striker to respected coach, recently stepping into his first national team role as head coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
McCarthy’s impact was immediate. In 2025, only months after signing a two-year contract, he guided Kenya to their first-ever knockout stage appearance at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Source: Getty Images
His road to the dugout was paved by a glittering playing career. After breaking through in South Africa with Orlando Pirates, McCarthy made his mark in Europe with Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, and most famously FC Porto, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2004 under Jose Mourinho. He remains Bafana Bafana’s all-time top scorer, netting 31 goals in 79 matches.
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McCarthy's coaching career
Following retirement in 2013, he pursued his UEFA coaching badges and returned to South Africa in 2017 to lead Cape Town City, delivering the club’s first major trophy, the MTN8. In 2020, he joined AmaZulu, steering them to a historic second-place finish.
His career then took a major leap in 2022 when Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag added him to the Old Trafford backroom staff as a striker’s coach, a role he held until mid-2024.
Source: Instagram
Only after proving himself across continents did McCarthy take on his current challenge in Nairobi, signalling the start of a new chapter in African coaching.
McCarthy's family life
Away from football, McCarthy leads a comfortable lifestyle. Married to Scottish model Stacey Munro since 2014, he has two children with her, along with three daughters from his previous marriage to Spaniard Maria Santos.
He also enjoys the rewards of a long career, with properties in South Africa and the United Kingdom and a collection of luxury cars.
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Ex-EPL star hails McCarthy for reigniting Kenyan football despite Harambee Stars' CHAN exit
As per Celebrity Net Worth, McCarthy’s fortune is valued at $16 million, cementing his status as one of the wealthiest figures in African football.
Salary rumours dismissed by the FKF
There have been swirling rumours that the former Bafana Bafana striker is earning Ksh8 million per month, but the FKF president dismissed those figures. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Mohammed noted that McCarthy’s salary is far from the reported amount.
“Benni McCarthy is employed like any other employee. His terms of payment are personal to him. If we get his consent, we can discuss the terms, but it is nowhere near what has been reported,” said Mohammed.
He added that while speculation is expected, it would be better for McCarthy himself to clarify his earnings.
“It is a private matter, and we respect that.”
McCarthy speaks on Kenya's WC chances
Briefly News previously reported that McCarthy made an honest admission about the hopes of leading Harambee Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
The former Cape Town City head coach cited the points gap and early setbacks in the qualifying series as some of the problems.
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Source: Briefly News
