Tapping into the Benni magic

CAPE TOWN is a city of contrasts (like most cities are), but as always there is a common thread, that fundamental humanity that binds us all. In short, whoever we are, wherever we come from, rich or poor, we all love a good story, a narrative that takes a kid with a dream and places him at the heart of everything that represents us as Capetonians, and that makes us proudly South African. In two words: Benni McCarthy.

On Tuesday, McCarthy, the kid from the Hanover Park township who not only realised the dream but achieved so much more, returned to his place of birth to take up the position as head coach of Cape Town City.

McCarthy refused to be bowed by circumstance. He took his talent and wove it into a successful tale that has made him the topic of legend in Cape Town, and in South Africa as a whole.

This son of the Mother City’s soil graced the football fields of Europe with distinction and he is still Bafana Bafana’s record goal-scorer with 31 goals.

McCarthy’s playing days may be over, but he is still recognised as a local hero.

And it is that reputation and regard that City want to tap into when the 39-year-old starts his new job later this month.

McCarthy has the coaching documentation, a Uefa A licence and is in the process of completing his Pro badge (the highest qualification in Europe) – but he doesn’t have the experience; he only had a stint as an assistant coach at a Belgian side.

So this is the big challenge – and he is adamant he is up for it. Good players don’t always make good coaches, but McCarthy is determined that his coaching career will emulate the success of his playing days.

We say: Good luck to our bra, our Benni.