Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that there was one opponent during his illustrious playing career who left him completely shaken — Guinean defender Bobo Balde. The South African football legend, renowned for his confidence and physical presence, admitted that the Celtic defender was the only player who truly frightened him on the pitch.
McCarthy, who enjoyed successful spells at clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam, FC Porto, Celta Vigo, and Blackburn Rovers, built a reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards. Known for his strength, flair, and eye for goal, few defenders could handle him. However, in a Europa League (then UEFA Cup) clash against Celtic in 2002, McCarthy encountered a challenge that left a lasting impression.
According to McCarthy, the experience was so intense that he asked to be substituted after suffering a brutal tackle from Balde. “The player who scared me the most, the only one that made me ask the manager to take me off, was Bobo Balde,” McCarthy recalled. “He hit me with one tackle that sent me doing a summersault. After that, I kept switching positions — left wing, right wing — trying to stay away from him.”
McCarthy joked that he had expected a bit of brotherhood from the Guinean since they were both Africans, but Balde showed no mercy. “I thought he was my brother! Africans usually look out for each other, but that day he went all in. He had me running scared. No other defender in my career made me feel like that,” he said.
Balde, a towering 1.94m centre-back, played for Celtic between 2001 and 2009, making over 230 appearances for the Scottish giants. His commanding presence, physical strength, and uncompromising tackles made him one of the most feared defenders in European football during that era.
The memorable clash between Celtic and Celta Vigo took place in the 2002 UEFA Cup round, where Celtic won the first leg 1-0 before losing 2-1 in the return leg. McCarthy started in the second match and even scored, but the encounter left him with an unforgettable story.
Years later, as he manages Kenya’s national team, McCarthy still laughs about that moment — a rare occasion when the fearless striker found himself running scared on the football pitch.
