McDonald Mariga has explained the strategies FKF will put in place to make sure Benni McCarthy succeeds as Harambee Stars coach.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga has outlined the structures in place to make sure that Benni McCarthy succeeds as coach following his appointment. .
The South African football icon officially began his tenure as Harambee Stars head coach on March 3, 2025, after signing a two-year contract.
Tasked with elevating the national team’s fortunes, McCarthy’s immediate focus is on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, beginning with matches against Gambia and Gabon, as well as leading Kenya at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, which the country will co-host.
Harambee Starlets have moved up seven places in the latest FIFA rankings thanks to their impressive results against Tunisia in the WAFCON qualifiers.
His long-term goal includes preparing Harambee Stars for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will also co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Speaking at the Serena Hotel last Monday, former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga highlighted the reasons behind McCarthy’s appointment, emphasizing his unique qualifications and impressive coaching credentials.
“We chose the qualified coach. We wanted someone who understood both African and European football,” Mariga noted. “Benni has coached in Europe and also in South Africa, that is why we settled for him and we believe he is the right man for the job.”
Mariga, now involved in Kenyan football leadership, also unveiled plans to revamp the country’s youth football structure.
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AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has confirmed that the club officially submitted all the paperwork on Tuesday, 5th March 2025, to acquire the land in Kasarani supposed to be used for the building of its stadium.
By creating clear pathways for underage players such as the U-15s and U-17s, the aim is to align these development teams with McCarthy’s playing style, enabling young talents to seamlessly transition to the senior team.
“We have to have a distinct playing style. We need to understand it and then make sure we put the structures in place to make sure the underage groups such as the U-15s and U-17s are supported and coached to understand how our system works, which will make it easier for exceptional prospects to get into the first team,” Mariga explained.
Additionally, Mariga outlined the immediate goals for the national team, stressing the importance of progressing step by step.
“The pathway is not just 2027. We have to focus first on CHAN 2024 in August, and then the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March. We have to go a step at a time.”
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has joined the list of highest paid Africa national team coaches but he still does not compare to many others on the continent.
Benni McCarthy’s coaching résumé speaks for itself. At Cape Town City, he guided the team to their first-ever trophy by winning the MTN 8 Cup in 2018.
Later, he led AmaZulu FC to an unprecedented second-place finish in the South African Premier Division and qualification for the CAF Champions League. Most recently, McCarthy served as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, focusing on improving attacking strategies and receiving widespread praise for his impact.
Mariga expressed confidence in McCarthy’s ability to deliver success for the Harambee Stars. “He delivered everywhere he played as a player and then as a coach. I believe he will do well here in Kenya,” he said.
As Harambee Stars prepare for key tournaments, the collaborative efforts between McCarthy and Kenyan football leadership promise to bring renewed hope and a competitive edge to the team.
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How new Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will manage to convince foreign-based players, including dual-citizens like Linton Maina & Djed Spence, to play for Harambee Stars.
