Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid striker, is in Nairobi not just for the upcoming Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, but also to show his support for Benni McCarthy, who has recently been appointed as the head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars. Adebayor has publicly backed McCarthy’s appointment, expressing confidence that the South African coach will lead the Kenyan team to success in African football.
Adebayor shared his admiration for McCarthy, praising both his coaching abilities and his personality. He recalled their encounters during their playing days, including when they faced each other in the UEFA Champions League final in 2005. Adebayor was playing for Monaco at the time, and they lost to McCarthy’s Porto in that final. Despite the defeat, the two developed a strong friendship that has lasted through the years.
Benni McCarthy’s rise from a player with a distinguished career to a coach has impressed many, and Adebayor is no exception. The former Togo captain highlighted McCarthy’s progression from being an assistant coach at Manchester United to becoming the head coach of the Harambee Stars. Adebayor also reflected on McCarthy’s successful playing career, including winning the UEFA Champions League with Porto, and noted that McCarthy’s ability to mentor and develop attacking players was a key asset.
“Benni is a great person, a nice person, and I’ve had the chance to meet him several times,” Adebayor explained in a recent interview. He also acknowledged the importance of McCarthy’s role in the development of players like Marcus Rashford at Manchester United. Rashford has publicly credited McCarthy for helping to improve his goal-scoring ability, which further demonstrates the value McCarthy can bring to Kenya’s national team, especially in developing strikers.
Adebayor emphasized that McCarthy’s appointment as the head coach of Harambee Stars is significant not just for Kenya but also for African football. He pointed out that it’s important to have African coaches leading African teams, as it helps explore and strengthen the continent’s footballing potential. Adebayor made a comparison, saying that just as a Frenchman managing the England or Italy national teams wouldn’t be an issue, a South African managing the Kenyan team makes perfect sense. He expressed hope that McCarthy would bring success to Kenya, particularly in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament where Kenya has not been a consistent contender in recent years.
Fans and pundits in Kenya are optimistic about McCarthy’s appointment, hoping that he will help turn the fortunes of Harambee Stars and return them to the continental spotlight. The Kenyan team has faced difficulties in developing clinical finishers and finding consistent goal-scoring form, an area where McCarthy has proven expertise. His ability to nurture and improve strikers could be just what Kenya needs to improve their attacking play and secure better results on the international stage.
For Adebayor, supporting McCarthy is not just about friendship; it’s about recognizing a talented coach with a proven track record. Adebayor believes that McCarthy can make history with Harambee Stars, leading them to success and perhaps even lifting the AFCON trophy in the near future. Fans of Kenyan football are hopeful that McCarthy’s leadership will bring the change they’ve been longing for and help the team achieve their full potential.
