Benni McCarthy unveiled as the new Cape Town City head coach

The worst-kept secret so far in South African football has been let out of the bag: Benni McCarthy has been unveiled as the new Cape Town City coach on a three-year deal.

The former Ajax Amsterdam Porto‚ Blackburn Rovers and West Ham striker has replaced Eric Tinkler‚ who joined SuperSport United last week.

With Tinkler having steered the side to a creditable third place in their maiden Premier Soccer League season alongside their Telkom Knockout Cup triumph and their MTN8 semi-final placing‚ McCarthy has big boots to fill.

• Is Benni McCarthy the new Cape Town City coach? 

The 39-year-old Capetonian is making a home-coming of sorts‚ with his playing career having started in the Mother City before globetrotting in what was a successful playing career that included 80 Bafana caps and the UEFA Champions League winners medal he earned with Porto in the 2003/04.

CTCFC is proud to announce Benni McCarthy as the new Head Coach. The prodigal son has returned.#iamCityFC #TheFutureIsNow pic.twitter.com/ndwrb7x1lu

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 13, 2017

It remains to be seen whether John Comitis's gamble on McCarthy will pay off because the all-time leading Bafana Bafana goalscorer has never taken on a head coaching gig.

• McCarthy expected to take over from Tinkler 

While he is a suitably qualified candidate with a UEFA A licence‚ the jury is out on whether he can transfer his on-field skills into something tangible from a management perspective.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport