Former Harambee Stars midfielder James Situma has shared his thoughts on what newly appointed coach Benni McCarthy will require to succeed in his role.
The South African football legend, officially unveiled on March 1, has been tasked with revitalizing the Harambee Stars as they prepare for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Situma, who earned 42 caps for Kenya and scored twice during his tenure with the national team, believes McCarthy’s appointment has come at an opportune time.
“You know, coaching is similar to playing football. We have been playing football all along, and it’s not something new. So, I believe there is no perfect time or wrong time to bring in a coach,” Situma said in an interview.
The former Harambee Stars midfielder emphasized that the Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) ambitions and structural support will be crucial in determining McCarthy’s success. He stressed the need for well-defined strategies to ensure long-term progress.
“The key thing is to have structures that support the coach. We need short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans. The federation must outline what they want to achieve within a year or two,” he noted.
Situma also highlighted the importance of collaboration and communication between the federation and other football stakeholders. According to him, McCarthy’s tenure will only bring positive change if all parties involved work together toward a common goal.
“As I said, we need to support him. The best approach is for the federation to share their plans with other stakeholders so that they can provide input to improve the game,” he added.
McCarthy has been given the freedom to assemble his backroom staff, bringing in three key members to aid his transition. His team includes Pilela Maposa, a highly-rated performance analyst, Moeneeb Josephs, an experienced goalkeeper coach, and Vasili Manousakis, a tactically astute assistant coach.
The coach’s first major test will come in the form of crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches. Kenya will face Gambia away on March 17 before hosting Gabon at home on March 24. These matches will be a litmus test for McCarthy’s approach and ability to rally the team toward success.
With strong backing from the FKF and collaboration with stakeholders, McCarthy has the potential to lead Kenya to new heights. However, it will take commitment, proper planning, and support from all involved to make his tenure a success.
