He was once the darling of South African football, the lethal marksman whose goals brought joy to millions of Bafana Bafana supporters. But football has a funny way of rewriting its own stories, and Benni McCarthy is about to find himself on the opposite side of the battlefield.
The former Bafana Bafana striker, who terrorised defenders in the national colours between 1997 and 2012, is now preparing for a new chapter in his football journey — one that could turn him into South Africa’s enemy No 1.
McCarthy, Bafana’s all-time leading goalscorer, registered 31 goals in 80 senior international appearances for South Africa. His contribution to the national team cemented his place among the country’s greatest football exports.
He was the man supporters trusted to deliver when the stakes were high, the striker whose name echoed through stadiums whenever he found the back of the net.
But fast-forward to November, and the script has changed dramatically.
Now a professional coach, McCarthy faces the prospect of plotting the downfall of the very national team he once served with distinction when Kenya take on South Africa in a two-legged Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying showdown.
The two encounters, scheduled for November 11 to be hosted by Bafana at the venue still to be decided and away to Kenya on 15, promise to add an intriguing subplot to the contest, with McCarthy potentially standing in the way of Bafana Bafana’s ambitions.
For South African supporters, the prospect of seeing one of their greatest football heroes in the opposition dugout will be a strange and emotional experience.
The man who once carried the country’s hopes on his shoulders as a striker could now be the mastermind attempting to dismantle those same hopes from the technical area.
McCarthy’s intimate knowledge of South African football, its players and its culture could add another layer of intrigue to the encounter. Having represented Bafana Bafana at the highest level, he understands the expectations that come with wearing the national jersey.
However, international football is a business of results, and sentiment will count for little once the whistle blows.
For Bafana Bafana, the challenge will be to overcome a familiar face who knows what it means to represent the country and who will be equally determined to deliver for his new football mission.
For McCarthy, it presents an opportunity to demonstrate his credentials as a coach by going head-to-head with the country that helped make him a household name.
The question is whether South Africa will celebrate another victory or watch one of its most cherished football sons become the man who stands in its way.
One thing is certain: when the two sides meet in November, the battle will be about more than just AFCON qualification.
It will be a clash between national loyalty and professional duty, with Benni McCarthy at the centre of a football story that South African supporters will find difficult to ignore.
