Harambee Star head coach Benni McCarthy was brought to tears after being asked about the passing of former FC Porto captain Jorge Costa who he played with.
He spent a season on loan at Charlton Athletic in the Premier League during the 2001-02 campaign before hanging up his boots in 2006.
After retiring as a player, the centre-back transitioned into management, holding positions at 16 clubs before assuming the role of Porto’s director of professional football last season.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy breaks down
During a CHAN 2024 press conference at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, McCarthy broke down as he mourned his former captain extending his heartfelt condolences to Costa’s family.
“I hope his family gets the support they deserve because he leaves behind a wife and the kids. My condolences to his family and the people that he loved,” McCarthy broke down as he passed his condolences.
He fondly remembered Costa as one of the finest players he had the privilege to play alongside.
McCarthy described him as a big brother figure, lamenting that he never had the chance to speak with him one last time.
I think all of us are on that journey. And we extend stories and memories of Jorge because we were the second team of Porto that had success, and he was our older brother, our leader.
If things did not go our way, he was always standing by our side. And the fact that one cannot get a chance to say the last goodbye makes it sadder, but the biggest thing one can take from Jorge is the incredible moments that we enjoyed together,” sympathized the South African tactician.
Midfielder Diego (top R) of Portugese club FC Porto kisses the Intercontinental Cup ) as he shares a joy with his teammates Quaresma (top/L), Ricardo Costa (bottom L) and Benedict McCarthy (bottom R) during the awarding ceremony of the Intercontinental Cup football in Yokohama, 14 December 2004. The European club champion defeated Colombian club Once Caldas by penalty shoot-out after scoreless draw. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo by TORU YAMANAKA / AFP)
McCarthy expresses pain of unsaid goodbyes
Having won the Champions League and the Portuguese league titles consecutively, McCarthy emphasized the immense respect he holds for Jorge Costa and the indelible memories they created together.
I remember when I joined Porto he was the toughest person I met in football. The moment I joined from South Africa he was very tough on me and I have a lot of respect for Jorge Costa.
Winning the Portuguese League back to back, winning the Champions League, so we have shared moments together with him.
And to think at that young age of demise, you wish maybe you could have picked up the phone a day earlier or even a month earlier just to check on people, but you realize you don’t have that time.”
Benni McCarthy alongside other FC Porto players lifting UEFA Champions League title. Image via Backpage
Costa, a graduate of Porto’s academy, made 324 appearances for the club and secured 24 major trophies before departing in 2005, including the Champions League, UEFA Cup, and eight Primeira Liga titles.
His coaching career began at Braga, followed by stints at Olhanense and Academica. He also managed teams in Romania, Cyprus, Tunisia, India, and Gabon.
Brian Magiri is a passionate sports journalist and all-around sports enthusiast. He loves diving into the worlds of football, rugby, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, bringing stories to life with energy and insight. For Brian, anything exciting happening in sports is worth exploring and sharing.
