Benni McCarthy Opens Up on Clash With Bobby Motaung That Pushed Him to Join Kaizer Chiefs’ Rivals

• Benni McCarthy has narrated the quarrel he had with a top member of the Kaizer Chiefs board that led to his move to Orlando Pirates
• The Kenyan national team coach is a lifelong supporter of the Glamour Boys, but didn't get to play for the club during his playing days
• The Bafana Bafana legend also recalled how he was convinced by the Orlando Pirates chairman to join the Sea Robbers in 2011

Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has opened up on the issues he had with one of Kaizer Chiefs' board members, which led to his move to Orlando Pirates during the latter part of his football career.

The former FC Porto star left English Premier League side West Ham in 2011 and decided to return to the Premier Soccer League, and had the option of joining Kaizer Chiefs but opted to join their rivals, Orlando Pirates.

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During the final stages of his career, the ex-South African international wanted to conclude his playing days in South Africa after a successful stint with European clubs that saw him feature for Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, FC Porto, and Blackburn Rovers.

Upon his return, rumours suggested that the Glamour Boys were preparing to sign a major player, with McCarthy’s name frequently mentioned. However, Bobby Motaung publicly dismissed these reports.

McCarthy speaks on the issue with Motaung

McCarthy recalled being disrespected by the Kaizer Chiefs football manager during that period of returning to the PSL. He claimed Motaung stylishly called him a "washed-up player".

“Someone apparently questioned Bobby about me joining Kaizer Chiefs, and his reply was, ‘Kaizer Chiefs don’t sign washed-up players. He’s not the only big fish around,” McCarthy told SuperSport TV.

“That information eventually reached me through a friend. I thought Bobby and I had mutual respect, and I’d never had a problem with him. But hearing this made me think, ‘Really?’ I considered confronting him, but decided it wasn’t the right time or place. I just let it go and enjoyed the night,” McCarthy said, recalling a nightclub encounter with Motaung.

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McCarthy narrates how Orlando Pirates approached him

McCarthy went on during the interview to explain how Orlando Pirates approached him after the whole issue with Motaung, and his decision to join the Buccaneers despite being a fan of Kaizer Chiefs.

“The next day after the issue, during the Soweto derby, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I was tempted to confront Bobby because we are like family. With my career and legacy, no one should call me a ‘washed-up player’ just because I wanted to retire in my own country,” he added.

It was during this period that Orlando Pirates presented an opportunity. The Sea Robbers chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, reached out to meet McCarthy.

“At the derby, Dr Khoza asked if he could see me. I initially said no because I was flying back to Cape Town, but he insisted we meet before I left. I sensed something important was about to happen. The next day, I met him at five o’clock, and within ten minutes, he was recounting my life story, from my youth days at Young Pirates to my time with the South African national team. I was amazed at how much he knew,” McCarthy concluded.

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Ex-Pirates star dreams of coaching Chiefs

Briefly News earlier reported that a former Orlando Pirates forward harbours aspirations of coaching Kaizer Chiefs in the future.

The former Bafana Bafana star also mentioned an English Premier League giant as one of the clubs he dreams of managing in the future.

Source: Briefly News