Benni McCarthy has been appointed as the new head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, with the mission of leading them to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. The 47-year-old South African tactician has signed a contract with the Kenya Football Federation, a deal that had been under discussion since December.
McCarthy, who most recently worked as a first-team coach at Manchester United, has only three weeks to prepare the team for two crucial World Cup qualifiers later this month. Kenya will first face Gambia away before hosting Gabon in Nairobi, matches that could define their path to the global tournament.
Joining McCarthy on the technical bench are former Richards Bay coach Vasili Manousakis and ex-South African international goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs. The trio will make their debut with Kenya currently sitting fourth in Group F with five points from four matches, trailing group leaders Ivory Coast by five points.
Despite the tight timeline and the high stakes, McCarthy is confident about making an impact. He emphasized that transparency played a key role in his decision to take up the job. He highlighted the new leadership’s openness and honesty, which he felt had been lacking in South African football. He also expressed his familiarity with the challenges of African football and his determination to implement the right strategies to improve the game on the continent.
McCarthy’s appointment is seen as a major statement of intent for Kenya, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda. However, expectations are high, especially after the team failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The pressure is now on McCarthy and his technical team to build a competitive squad capable of achieving World Cup qualification.
His coaching credentials add to the optimism surrounding his appointment. McCarthy previously managed South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu, where he made a significant impact. Notably, he transformed AmaZulu from a relegation-threatened side to a second-place finish in the Premier Soccer League during the 2020-21 season. His experience working at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag has further enhanced his reputation in the football world.
Beyond coaching, McCarthy boasts a storied playing career. He remains South Africa’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 31 international goals and is the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League, lifting the trophy with Porto in 2004. His knowledge and experience in high-level football bring hope to Kenyan fans who have long dreamt of seeing their team compete on the world’s biggest stage.
McCarthy is now the ninth South African to coach a foreign national team, joining the ranks of Thomas ‘Zero’ Johnson (Botswana), Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane (Namibia), Ephraim Mashaba (Eswatini), and Thabo Senong (Lesotho), among others.
Reactions to his appointment have been mixed. While some praise his tactical acumen and experience, others are concerned about the limited time he has to make an impact. Nevertheless, with his strong background as both a player and a coach, hopes are high that he can bring a new direction to Kenyan football.
The coming weeks will be crucial as McCarthy prepares his team for the decisive World Cup qualifiers. A strong start against Gambia and Gabon could provide Kenya with the momentum they need in their quest for a historic World Cup berth. Kenyan football fans eagerly await to see whether McCarthy can turn their long-standing dream into reality.
