Narrowing down hundreds of goals across a 17-year career was never going
to be easy, but Benni McCarthy has managed it—identifying the three strikes
he considers the most special of his legendary career.
Speaking at the launch of his book at Exclusive Books in Midrand, the former
Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates icon took a trip down memory lane,
reflecting on goals that defined different chapters of his journey.
Unsurprisingly, one moment stands above the rest for its historical weight:
South Africa’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup.
McCarthy found the net against Denmark in a 1-1 draw during the 1998
tournament in France. While the finish itself may not have been the
prettiest of his career, its significance ensures it remains etched in
memory.
“Obviously, Shibobo, the famous song, go through the goalkeeper’s legs,
first ever goal for South Africa in the World Cup,” McCarthy recalled. “It
wasn’t the prettiest, ugly goal, but it was the first goal in the World Cup.
So number one.”
His second selection takes us to European club football and a classic UEFA
Champions League encounter—one that pitted McCarthy against the team he grew
up supporting.
Playing for Porto against Manchester United, the striker scored twice,
including a decisive header that eliminated the English giants from the
competition. The moment was bittersweet for a self-confessed United fan.
“Number two, definitely Champions League against Man United, being the
biggest Man United supporter. And I played against my childhood team that I
love. I wanted to score, but I also wanted us to lose. So it’s a win-win for
me,” he said with a smile.
“The header that I scored, the second, the winning goal, I think it was
probably one of my best headers I’ve ever scored in a match.”
The final selection brings things back home to the Premier Soccer League and
his time with Orlando Pirates during the unforgettable 2011/12 campaign.
Facing Maritzburg United, McCarthy produced a moment of magic—a spectacular
overhead kick that proved to be the winning goal.
“And how can I not? Orlando Pirates versus Maritzburg. Bicycle kick, come
on, man, come on. That one was special,” he beamed.
According to McCarthy, that goal was more than just a highlight-reel moment;
it helped propel the Buccaneers toward a historic achievement.
“It was also a winning goal. And it set us up to end up going to beat, to
win the champions, to win the league. And then we ended up winning the
Nedbank and the Carling Cup. So we won the second treble, the only club in
history to do it back to back.”
