BY: Saneliso Mlambo
South African football legend Benni McCarthy has been officially appointed as the head coach of Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars. This marks a significant milestone in McCarthy’s coaching career, following his tenure as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag from 2022 to 2024.
McCarthy’s appointment comes after the resignation of former head coach Engin Firat, who stepped down two months ago following Kenya’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved swiftly to secure McCarthy’s services, aiming to revitalize the national team’s fortunes.
The 47-year-old coach brings a wealth of experience to the role. As South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals, McCarthy is the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League, achieving this feat with FC Porto in 2004 under José Mourinho. His coaching career includes successful stints at Cape Town City, where he led the team to the MTN8 title in 2018, and AmaZulu FC, guiding them to a second-place finish in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) during the 2020/21 season, earning them a spot in the CAF Champions League.
McCarthy’s immediate focus will be on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Kenya is set to face Gambia on March 20 in an away match, followed by a home fixture against Gabon on March 23 at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium. These matches present an opportunity for McCarthy to assess his squad and implement his tactical vision.
The Kenyan football community has expressed optimism regarding McCarthy’s appointment. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful that his international experience and tactical acumen will usher in a new era for the Harambee Stars. However, some have raised concerns about the existing infrastructural challenges within Kenyan football, emphasizing the need for improved facilities and support systems to ensure success under the new coach.
As McCarthy embarks on this new chapter, the expectations are high for him to transform Kenya’s football landscape and guide the national team to greater heights on the international stage.