Former footballer Siyabonga Nomvethe has expressed confidence in Benni McCarthy’s ability to transform the Kenyan national football team, Harambee Stars. Having played alongside McCarthy for the South African U-23 team and Bafana Bafana, as well as serving as his assistant coach at AmaZulu, Nomvethe believes that McCarthy possesses the tactical expertise required to guide Kenya back to winning ways.
Nomvethe praised McCarthy as a highly intelligent coach who understands the game at a deep level. He highlighted the UEFA Pro License that McCarthy holds as evidence of his advanced coaching skills, suggesting that he is one of the best young South African coaches in the industry. He further emphasized that McCarthy’s ability to assess and understand his players will be crucial in building a competitive team for Kenya.
According to Nomvethe, coaching a new team requires careful analysis of the squad, particularly in terms of the balance between locally based players and those playing in European leagues. He noted that McCarthy would need time to identify the best strategy to accommodate all players and create a cohesive playing system.
Reflecting on his time working with McCarthy, Nomvethe recalled that it was a smooth and enjoyable experience due to their previous history as teammates. He shared that when McCarthy invited him to join AmaZulu’s coaching staff, it was an easy decision because of their strong working relationship.
Nomvethe expressed his belief that McCarthy will rise to the challenge with Harambee Stars despite the tough road ahead. He urged for patience, stressing that with the right support and time, McCarthy could turn Kenya into a formidable football team.
McCarthy’s first task as Harambee Stars head coach will be guiding the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The team is set to play against Gambia in an away match in Ivory Coast before hosting Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Currently, Kenya sits in fourth place in Group F with five points, while Ivory Coast leads the group with 10 points. These upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Harambee Stars can climb up the table and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
