South African football icon Benni McCarthy is set to arrive in Nairobi tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26, to officially take charge as the new head coach of the Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars.
His immediate task? Steering Harambee Stars through the crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with an away clash against Gambia on March 20 and a home fixture against Gabon on March 23 at Nyayo Stadium.
A Fresh Start for Harambee Stars
The 47-year-old, who recently worked as a first-team coach under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, brings a wealth of experience to Kenya’s dugout. His appointment marks a bold move by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which hopes his winning mentality and deep understanding of the game will propel the national team to new heights.
McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals and remains the only South African to have lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy, an achievement he secured with FC Porto in 2004 under Jose Mourinho.
Technical Team and FKF Strategy
McCarthy is set to work alongside an assistant coach and a goalkeeping trainer, both of whom he handpicked. Vasili Manousakis, a long-time collaborator, is expected to serve as his deputy, while former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs will be tasked with refining Harambee Stars’ shot-stoppers.
McCarthy will integrate with the existing FKF technical staff rather than bringing a full backroom team. Acting coach Francis Kimanzi, who stepped in after Turkish tactician Engin Firat’s resignation in December 2024 due to salary arrears, will remain in a supporting role.
High-Profile Debut and Home Advantage
Before his first match in charge, McCarthy is expected to attend the iconic ‘Mashemeji Derby’ on Sunday, where AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia will battle for supremacy. The game will offer him a firsthand look at local talent ahead of his World Cup qualifiers.
For Kenya, the March 23 fixture against Gabon at Nyayo Stadium will also serve as a crucial test for hosting international games, following a period of playing home matches in Uganda and South Africa due to CAF stadium bans.
Kenya’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
The Harambee Stars currently sit fourth in Group ‘F’ with five points from four matches, trailing African champions Côte d’Ivoire (10 points), Gabon (nine points), and Burundi (seven points).
Gambia (three points) and Seychelles (zero points) round out the group. With McCarthy at the helm, FKF is banking on a turnaround that could see Kenya challenge for a historic World Cup berth.
McCarthy’s Legacy and What He Brings to Kenya
From Ajax to Celta Vigo, Porto to Blackburn Rovers, McCarthy’s club career speaks for itself. His coaching pedigree, shaped through spells at Cape Town City, AmaZulu, and Manchester United, gives him a unique blend of tactical acumen and player development expertise. Known for his attacking philosophy and discipline, McCarthy’s appointment is seen as a game-changer for Kenyan football.
As the country rallies behind its new coach, all eyes will be on whether he can translate his success on the global stage into a golden era for Harambee Stars. The journey to 2026 begins now.
