Kenyan football has entered an exciting new era with the appointment of Benni McCarthy as the head coach of the Harambee Stars. The South African tactician brings a wealth of experience, particularly in developing attacking talent a quality that was evident during his time at Manchester United.
During his stint as United’s striking coach under Erik ten Hag, McCarthy played a pivotal role in Marcus Rashford’s resurgence. The English forward hit his best-ever goal tally, scoring 30 goals in 43 appearances during the 2022/23 season.
McCarthy’s impact on Rashford’s form was largely credited to his honest and straightforward coaching approach. He emphasized direct communication, helping the forward regain confidence and refine his movement and finishing. Rather than telling Rashford what he wanted to hear, McCarthy provided clear and constructive feedback, which earned the striker’s respect.
Now, as McCarthy takes charge of the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s captain and talismanic striker, Michael Olunga, stands to benefit immensely. The Al-Duhail forward has long been the country’s main attacking threat, but under McCarthy’s guidance, he could take his game to another level. McCarthy’s expertise in improving a striker’s positioning, finishing, and mentality will be crucial as Kenya prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Beyond Olunga, other emerging forwards like Tusker’s Ryan Ogam and John Avire could also gain valuable insights from McCarthy. His ability to fine-tune attacking instincts could help develop a new generation of lethal Kenyan strikers.
McCarthy’s first major challenge with the Harambee Stars will be the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Gambia on March 20 and Gabon on March 23. These matches will serve as an early test of his philosophy and how well he can implement his attacking strategies.
With a track record of revitalizing strikers and a no-nonsense approach to coaching, McCarthy has the potential to transform Kenya’s attack. If he can replicate the success he had with Rashford, the Harambee Stars could become a formidable force in African football.
