Former Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder Isaac Chansa has said that Benni McCarthy’s Manchester United move will serve as an inspiration to all African aspiring coaches.

The legendary former Orlando Pirates star, who won the UEFA Champions League 18 years ago with Portugal’s FC Porto, has joined the English Premier League side in July 2022 as a striker coach after parting ways with AmaZulu.

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The Zambian international hopes that he and others can achieve similar success as their inspiration, former Bafana Bafana’s McCarthy with the Red Devils.  

BENNI MCCARTHY INSPIRES AFRICAN COACHES

Chansa, a part of a treble winner with the Buccaneers in 2011/2012 season, says McCarthy should serve as an example to African coaches’ hopefuls.

“Look, with Benni (McCarthy) coaching in England. It think it’s a blessing and encouragement for all of us aspiring African coaches,” Chansa told LimSportsZone.

“Benni changed our minds that if you are from Africa, you can’t coach European teams. To see someone you played alongside, coaching one of the biggest teams in the world. I gives you a hope that one day you will make it.”

“It makes one to be proud because you played with him, and now he’s in the top league. And I think all modern-day coaches would be inspired by his achievement.”

PLAYING IN EUROPE WAS A BLESSING FOR MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER COACH 

South Africans were stunned as Manchester announced the arrival of McCarthy last year. And according to Chansa, his move to coach in Europe was obviously expected.

“The man played his football in the top leagues, it was a blessing for him. He deserves to be where he is now, it’s not a surprise,” Chansa added.

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“It was going to happen, regardless of what because he is a legend of those European football clubs. So, we all knew that he would coach them one day, and we are all happy as Africans.”

McCarthy, the South Africa national team’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals. He is also the only Mzansi player to have ever won the UEFA. He has also won his first trophy with Manchester United as the club lifted the Carabao Cup a few weeks ago.