Benni McCarthy becomes Kenya’s head coach, aiming for World Cup qualification, citing transparency and a fresh footballing vision as key reasons.
Benni McCarthy was on Monday named as the new head coach of Harambee Stars taking on the challenge of leading them to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
The 47-year-old South African tactician has signed a contract with the Football Kenya Federation, a deal that had been on the table since December.
McCarthy, who last worked as a first-team coach at Manchester United, has been given just three weeks to prepare the team for two crucial World Cup qualifiers later this month.
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Incoming Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will get to work with the man he had selected as assistant after his current cut ties with him.
Kenya is set to face Gambia away before hosting Gabon in Nairobi, matches that could define their path to the global tournament.
Joining McCarthy in the Harambee Stars technical bench are former Richards Bay coach Vasili Manousakis and ex-South African international goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs.
The trio will be making their debut in charge of the team with Kenya sitting fourth in Group F with five points from four matches, trailing group leaders Ivory Coast by five points.
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Despite the tight timeline and the stakes involved, McCarthy is confident in his ability to make an impact.
“Transparency. They are a new regime that is transparent, honest, and open. If there are difficulties, those are the challenges you face. In South Africa, that has always been the biggest challenge. I have grown up in Africa, so I am accustomed to that, but deep down, I know how Africa functions, and I know how to do the right things to make Africa better,” he said.
Kenya’s appointment of McCarthy signals a major statement of intent, especially as they prepare to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
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However, they failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, heightening the pressure on the new technical team to build a competitive squad for the World Cup qualifiers.
McCarthy arrives with an impressive coaching résumé, having previously led South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
Notably, he guided AmaZulu from relegation-threatened status to second place in the Premier Soccer League during the 2020-21 season. His coaching stint at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag further strengthened his reputation on the international stage.
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McCarthy boasts a storied career, including being the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004. He remains Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 31 international goals.
His appointment makes him the ninth South African to coach a foreign national team, joining the likes of Thomas ‘Zero’ Johnson (Botswana), Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane (Namibia), Ephraim Mashaba (Eswatini), and Thabo Senong (Lesotho).
Football pundits have expressed mixed reactions to McCarthy’s appointment. While some laud his experience and tactical prowess, others are concerned about the limited time he has to make an immediate impact. However, with his strong background in football both as a player and coach, expectations remain high.
The coming weeks will be crucial for McCarthy and his team as they gear up for their World Cup qualifiers.
A strong start against Gambia and Gabon could provide Kenya with a much-needed boost in their campaign for a historic World Cup berth.
Kenyan football fans will be eager to see if McCarthy can turn their long-standing dream into reality.
