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Harambee Stars coach McCarthy reflects on his football career in new autobiography
03rd February, 2026 06:56 PM
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up further about his life and career following the release of his autobiography, offering readers a deeper understanding of the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch.
Titled Benni, the book traces McCarthy’s rise from the tough neighbourhoods of Cape Flats in South Africa to the pinnacle of global football, before detailing his latest chapter as the man in charge of Kenya’s national team.
McCarthy’s autobiography
The autobiography highlights not only his successes but also the lessons learned through adversity. McCarthy remains South Africa’s highest-ever goalscorer and stands alone as the only player from his country to have lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy.
He is also among a select group of African footballers to have found the net at both the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
The former striker shared his excitement about the project in a video posted on Instagram on Monday evening, February 2, 2026, explaining what fans should expect from the book.
“Hey everyone, Benni McCarthy here. Hope you’re good. Time has come. Finally, I got my new book out. Benni, From Gangland to Greatness. Not sure where the greatness comes from, but anyway. That’s what it’s called,” he said.
He went on to reveal that the book is the result of years of reflection and collaboration with journalist Mark Gleeson. “So, I sat down with Mark Gleeson over the last few years and wrote down all my memories, everything about that’s in this book. Really excited. I’m excited. So, let’s get started. If you can, get a copy of it. It’s a great read,” he noted.
The former FC Porto ace added that the autobiography is not only about football, but also about life lessons that readers can apply to their own journeys. “You can take a lot of good from it, you know, and apply it to your own life. So I really think it’s worth the read. So you’ll also be able to find the link in my story,” McCarthy said.
Welcoming thoughts
He concluded by encouraging supporters to purchase the book and share their thoughts. “So yeah, get down to your nearest store and if you can purchase, get the book and have a read, and hopefully you can give me your feedback on what you think. I’m excited, and I hope you guys will be too. So go out there and get this copy. Cheers,” he said.
The autobiography also revisits McCarthy’s glittering club career, which reached its peak at FC Porto when he played a key role in José Mourinho’s Champions League triumph during the 2003/04 season. On the international stage, he left an indelible mark by finishing as the top scorer at the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso and featuring at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
Beyond the accolades, the book sheds light on the strained relationships McCarthy often had with football administrators and coaches in South Africa, revealing how off-field tensions sometimes clouded his achievements.
Since hanging up his boots, McCarthy has successfully transitioned into coaching, collecting trophies in South Africa before sharpening his expertise at Manchester United. He is now focused on building a competitive Harambee Stars squad ahead of Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The book is currently available for purchase on Amazon.
