Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy acquires Uefa Pro Licence

Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy has joined an elite group of coaches with the Uefa Pro Licence. 

The 40-year-old completed his coaching badges with the Irish Football Association just less than five years after retiring from professional football. 

McCarthy, who played in different countries across Europe before returning to South Africa, was presented with his certificate earlier this week. 

McCarthy began his coaching career in Belgium with Sint-Truiden where he was Chris O'Loughlin's assistant. 

He later took a break from professional football as he wanted to concentrate on his coaching badges. 

The Cape Town-born mentor then replaced Eric Tinkler as head of the Citizens at the start of the 2017/18. 

While the expectations were high, McCarthy did fairly well in his first season in charge of the Mother City-based outfit, guiding them to the MTN8 final where they lost to Tinkler's side, SuperSport United. 

However, he gained revenge not so long ago as City clinched the trophy at the expese of Matsatsantsa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

Consequently, McCarthy became the first person to win the MTN8 both as a player and head coach. 

He will now look to win more trophies with City now that he has been awarded with Uefa's highest coaching qualification.