Emmanuel Adebayor visits Nairobi backs Benni McCarthy as Kenya’s head coach and believes he can lead Harambee Stars to AFCON success.
Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor has arrived in Nairobi ahead of the much-anticipated Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
The former Togo international, who played a key role in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against United at Old Trafford in 2006, made the trip to Kenya not only for the high-profile game but also to extend his support to his close friend, Benni McCarthy.
Harambee Starlets have moved up seven places in the latest FIFA rankings thanks to their impressive results against Tunisia in the WAFCON qualifiers.
McCarthy, the former Manchester United first-team coach, was recently appointed as the head coach of Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars.
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Adebayor has publicly backed McCarthy’s appointment, praising his coaching abilities and the impact he has on strikers.
“I’m here also to wish good luck to a friend of mine, Benny McCarthy, who just named us a head coach for the Kenya national team. I wish him nothing but the best,” Adebayor stated in an interview with SPM Buzz.
Adebayor further elaborated on his admiration for McCarthy’s personality and coaching credentials.
The former Togo captain recalled his encounters with McCarthy during their playing days, including when he faced the South African during the UEFA Champions League final in 2005.
“Benni is a great person, a nice person and have a chance to meet him a couple of times, I played against him. Remember when we lost the final with Monaco in 2005, I was with Monaco, we lost to Porto, so since then we became a very good friend and we all saw his career, what he has done, what he has achieved and you know he was assistant manager for Manchester United, coming out as head coach for Kenya is a beautiful thing,” he added.
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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.
The former Arsenal forward emphasized that his relationship with McCarthy has grown significantly over the years.
He acknowledged McCarthy’s playing career, achievements, and his rise in coaching, from working as an assistant at Manchester United to now leading Kenya’s national team.
“You know, we have to explore the continent. We have to use our own. Obviously from South Africa being a manager for Kenya, it’s the same thing as a French guy being a team manager for England or for Italy. So it’s good and I wish him the best of luck and hopefully, he will win African Cup of Nations,”Adebayor added.
Adebayor’s visit to Kenya has sparked excitement among local football fans, with many eager to witness how McCarthy’s leadership will shape the Harambee Stars.
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McCarthy, a former UEFA Champions League winner with Porto, has been recognized for his ability to develop strikers, an area in which Kenya has struggled over the years.
During his stint at Manchester United, he played a crucial role in mentoring the club’s attacking players, including Marcus Rashford, who credited McCarthy for improving his goal-scoring ability.
Kenyan football enthusiasts and pundits are optimistic about McCarthy’s appointment, hoping that he will guide Harambee Stars back to continental success.
Kenya has not been a consistent participant in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and fans are eager to see a turnaround under McCarthy’s leadership.