Benni McCarthy: Bafana legend wanted by North African giants

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy is reportedly being targeted by an Algerian club who want him as their next coach.

McCarthy is currently the head coach of the Kenyan national team, who he has managed since March 2025, with his contract running up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former AmaZulu and Cape Town City coach has, however, been linked to jobs in South Africa and abroad in recent months, including ex-club Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana.

The latest interest, however, is coming from North Africa following reports that eight-time Algerian champions USM Alger are keen to lure him as their next coach after the departure of Abdelhak Benchikha.

Why do USM Alger want Benni?

USM Alger have already sealed a place in the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup but are in dire straits in the league where they are sixth with 24 points from 15 matches, 12 behind Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger who lead the standings.

This is why Benchika left and is what McCarthy is needed to fix with KickOff quoting North African journalist Kadi Nazim who claims that South Africa’s all-time top scorer tops the club’s wish list.

However, getting McCarthy might not be easy as the club could be required to pay a compensation to the Football Kenya Federation, if the tactician accepts, as his contract requires a two to three months’ notice to terminate.

McCarthy would become the second South African to coach in Algeria after Mokwena, who has impressed so far since taking over at MC Alger ahead of the 2025-26 season.