DURBAN – Benni McCarthy amassed multiple accolades and titles during his glittering career as a player.
He ranked his maiden triumph as the head coach of Cape Town City amongst those glory days which saw him becoming the household name in the continent of Africa and in Europe.
McCarthy joined City last season as a novice. He was made to wait for a year to earn his first piece of silverware after the Citizens last year succumbed to a penalty defeat against SuperSport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
It was painful for McCarthy but he never gave up.
This past weekend he returned to the stadium that saw him missing out on his first trophy against the same opponent which denied him joy and boy did he enjoyed sweat revenge.
City defeated Matsatsantsa A Pitori 4-1 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 in the 120 minutes.
Benni McCarthy won his first piece of silverware with Cape Town City in 2018. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
McCarthy defined his first piece of silverware as one of his most memorable moments in football.
"It is right on top as a coach. This is my first cup. This one has got its own merit as I never did it on my own. As coaches we have to manage 30 players. You've to manage different egos and personalities.
It has to be right up there with the Uefa Champions League, scoring four goals in the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring at the World Cup and being major assets of the major tournaments."
"This one has got to be right there.
I'm not the one who knows what I'm going to do in the field of play. Now having to coach players," McCarthy said as he rejoiced the victory.
Benni McCarthy celebrates winning the trophy with his technical team on Saturday. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
McCarthy won multiple pieces of silverware in his career as player. He won cups such as Uefa Champions League and the league title with FC Porto in Portugal.
The all-time leading scorer for Bafana Bafana represented his country in two Fifa World Cups, Olympic Games and the Africa Cup of Nations.
He went on to play in big leagues like the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga and locally, also won cups during his spell with Orlando Pirates.
"I don't look at it as myself. It was a collective effort from players, assistant coach and my fitness coach. We are bunch of young guys. We are constantly on the phone talking to each other. Everyone is working tirelessly. I don't think it is only me, I'm just the face and the one who get shots when we lose. When we win it is the team effort. As coaches we are all in this business to win things. If you are not winning you are out of your job. It is about winning and keeping our jobs," he added.
McCarthy will be hoping to attain more success as coach like he did as a player.
"This will open up doors for young coaches that I've come in and many people say you’ve got to pay your dues. They say you've got to be in the position for five to ten years before you even get close to win your first title.
In my first year, I lost in the final and second year I got over the line. It came too early."
"When you work hard and put in the effort and study the books and analyse the opposition I don't think young coaches can fail.
You mustn't be afraid to fail.
Bigger teams might be looking at us." McCarthy explained.