Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy fought back tears as he paid tribute to his former FC Porto teammate, Jorge Costa.

Costa, a towering figure in Portuguese football and a close friend passed away on Tuesday from cardiac arrest at the club’s training ground with McCarthy describing him as “an elder brother.”

The South African tactician, who is currently leading Kenya’s national team in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), could barely hold himself together during a pre-match press conference at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, 6 August.

Asked about Costa, McCarthy paused for nearly a minute, fighting to collect himself, before delivering a tribute filled with sorrow, gratitude, and reflection.

“Yesterday was very difficult. It is still difficult. To think that someone still so full of life is suddenly gone it’s heartbreaking. Jorge wasn’t just a teammate. He was like an elder brother. Our leader. A man who stood up for everyone,” said McCarthy.

Midway through the press conference, McCarthy stepped away briefly to collect himself, with Gor Mahia defender Alphonse Omija stepping in to field questions. Omija, visibly moved, offered quiet support to his coach.

However, McCarthy found a small reason to smile as his youngest son, Prince Lio Romero, turned six on the same day.

“I’m trying to stay strong for my team, for my family, and for Jorge. He’s not gone. He lives within us, in the memories, the lessons, and the spirit he gave us. We will carry him forward,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy, who joined Porto as a young striker from South Africa, recalled how Costa took him under his wing.

“I was just a kid from Africa, fresh into Europe, and he was the toughest man I had ever met on a football pitch. But he looked out for me. He demanded the best from me. He protected me. I owe so much of my growth at Porto to him,” McCarthy said.

Their partnership yielded glory league titles, cup wins, and Europe’s most coveted trophy. But for McCarthy, the memories go beyond medals.

“We celebrated so many unforgettable moments together. What makes this even sadder is knowing I won’t get the chance to say my final goodbye,” he said.

“You always think there’s time. You say you’ll call next week or send that message later. And then this happens. And you wish you had picked up the phone just one day earlier.”

McCarthy said this would not hold him down ahead of his duties of leading the national team in the championship.

“I was devastated yesterday, but I’m at a tournament, leading a team. I had to remain professional, even while breaking inside,” he said.

Tributes poured in across the football world, including from Mourinho, who also broke down while speaking about his former captain.

“He will always be part of Porto’s history as the longest-serving and most admired captain. That is the legacy he leaves behind,” Mourinho said.

Costa, who died at 53, was captain of FC Porto during their historic UEFA Champions League triumph in 2004 under José Mourinho.

He made over 500 professional appearances, 383 of those for Porto, and earned 50 caps for Portugal. Known for his uncompromising defending and nicknamed “Animal” by teammate Fernando Couto, Costa also had a brief spell in the Premier League with Charlton Athletic.

Costa’s death marks the third tragedy to strike FC Porto this summer, following the deaths of former loanee Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in July.