As he made the victory lap in Durban this weekend, Benni McCarthy felt a strong sense of vindication about his decision to come back home.

The Cape-born told reporters that he, at last, feels both loved and respected in his native land: this is no longer the ‘home’ where people often questioned his love for his country nor his desire to play for the senior national side but a home that has embraced him as a football genius and assured him of his status as one of the best players to come out of the country in the present-day era.

“I don’t think I have ever been this popular in South Africa. To be honest, I don’t think it’s overwhelming,” – that was a confession from a man often seen as a rebel who has often led many into believing that people’s opinion about him didn’t matter. Maybe they didn’t matter then, but when he experienced the warmth, McCarthy probably felt a sense of belonging.

Even though he tried his best to clothe his statements in modesty, McCarthy couldn’t resist an opportunity to remind all listening about history.

“I think I’m the first South African to return home and win a championship at let alone at home,” a proud McCarthy reminded reporters as Orlando Pirates paraded their Absa Premiership trophy this weekend.

“When I signed, I had a word with the chairman (Irvin Khoza) and I knew I was joining a championship-winning team. Obviously at the start I didn’t understand how strong these boys in the camp were, but I saw that. They helped me along the way when the chips were down.”

Not only has he been a marvel to watch at Pirates, but he has been inspiration. His marriage with Buccaneers – highly doubted by the media at its initial stages – has yielded results for both himself and the Sea Robbers.

So often a man who polarised opinion in the public courts in the past because of his love-hate relationship with the media and Bafana Bafana, McCarthy has been able to rehabilitate his image in the country. Never before – bar time he returned from Burkina Faso having spearheaded Bafana’s journey to the finals against Egypt – has Beeni been this popular in South Africa.

Act of Brilliance

For Orlando Pirates, his presence has been both beneficial and profitable. At times when individual brilliance was required, he lifted his hand and took responsibility – both in league and Cup games.

When Pirates needed to beat Arrows – the talented Hanover Park man rose to the occasion. When Pirates were cornered by Swallows in the Telkom Knockout few months ago, Benni produced an act of brilliance. These are two moments that have cemented his legend in the Bucs camp.

This week, he could be forgiven for bragging. All has been forgiven – Benni is once again the darling of the Rainbow Nation.

This is a new Benni, he promised the South African media. This Benni cares about how South Africans feel about him. This Benni has brought tears of joy in the eyes of a certain group of people who now refer to themselves as the “Happy People.”

Our mole can reveal that Orlando Pirates are hot favourites to sign Bloemfontein Celtic defender Erick Mathoho. 

‘Tower’ has attracted interest from Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs as well, but according to our reliable sources the Mighty Buccaneers have beaten their rivals to land the Bafana Bafana defender’s signature.


“There has always been an outstanding agreement between Celtic and Pirates that if Mathoho didn’t move overseas he would sign for Bucs the next season,” the source reveals.

“You must also remember that what [Pirates boss] Dr Khoza wants he will get – and even though Sundowns have put more money down, Pirates look like they have won it …”

Mathoho’s agent, Tim Sukazi of Quality Talent Sports agency, could not clear the air regarding the player’s next destination, but he did confirm that Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns are currently talking to Celtic.

“It is pretty much normal for a player of Mathoho’s calibre to trigger interest among the big clubs,” Sukazi says. “In fact, I would have been surprised if the situation was the opposite.

“Mathoho is currently contracted to Celtic and, in so far as I understand, all the interested clubs are in discussion with Celtic. We just have to wait and see how this one pans out and we will deal with it when our involvement becomes of relevance.”

Orlando Pirates missed the chance to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premiership after being held to a goalless draw by Bidvest Wits at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night. 

In a match dominated by the Buccaneers, the standout players were the Clever Boys’ hard-working defenders and midfielders who ensured that the home team was unable to claim all three points and take a potentially decisive advantage at the head of the log.

The first-half saw little in the way of goalmouth action as both sides struggled to find any kind of attacking rhythm. Other than a couple of half chances, there were no real attacking highlights to speak of.

Wits looked lively down the left through youngster Asive Langwe, who often timed his runs just right to get on the blindside of the Pirates central defenders but was usually let down by poor service from out wide.

As for Pirates, their wingers Tlou Segolela and Daine Klate looked their best route to goal, but the Clever Boys doubled up on them whenever they had the ball and generally did a great job in keeping them quiet.

The best opening of the half went the way of Tokelo Rantie in the 10th minute, but his effort on the turn was neither shot nor cross and didn’t trouble Energy Murambadoro in the Bidvest Wits goal.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first: Pirates bossed possession but struggled to create chances. Even the introduction of substitutes Dikgang Mabalane, Rudolf Bester and Thulasizwe Mbuyane did little to trouble the Wits backline.

The Clever Boys almost stole the game at the death when Bhongo Jayiya squared a ball for Katlego Pule to shoot, but the youngster put his effort just wide of Moeneeb Josephs’ right-hand post.

Bucs countered with a chance of their own for Bester, but Phillips was able to clear his goal-bound with relative ease after Energy Murambadoro had come off his line somewhat rashly to try and beat the attacker to a long ball.