Former South African international and UEFA Champions League winner Benni McCarthy has officially been named the new head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars. The announcement was made in Nairobi on Monday, March 3, in a high-profile unveiling by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), marking the beginning of a new chapter for Kenyan football.
A New Era for Harambee Stars
At 47, McCarthy brings a wealth of experience both as a player and coach, having played at the highest levels in Europe, including the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League. His appointment comes at a crucial time as Kenya prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Speaking at his unveiling, McCarthy expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead the national team.
“I am honored to take on this role and excited about the journey ahead with the Kenyan national team. I have studied the talent in this country, and I believe there is immense potential to compete at the highest level,” he said.
McCarthy replaces Engin Firat, who resigned late last year, and comes in with a strong technical team that includes Vassili Manousakis as assistant coach, Joseph Moeneeb as goalkeeper coach, and Pilela Maposa as a performance analyst.
The new coaching staff has signed a two-year contract, with their primary mandate being to qualify Kenya for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and build a competitive squad for AFCON 2027.
African football legend Benni McCarthy, the new Harambee Stars coach shares his journey to the team, vision and mission for the Kenyan National team.
| Full interview: https://t.co/8L9D4AOep8 pic.twitter.com/IXXOfqcy5V
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 3, 2025
FKF’s Confidence in McCarthy
FKF President Hussein Mohammed described the selection process for the new coach as rigorous but expressed confidence that they have landed the right candidate to steer Harambee Stars forward.
“His experience, vision, and commitment to developing Kenyan football align perfectly with our ambitions. We believe this team will instill tactical discipline, structure, and a winning mentality as we prepare for upcoming competitions,” Mohammed stated.
McCarthy’s immediate challenge will be leading Kenya in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon in March. He will then focus on preparing the team for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, set to take place in August.
McCarthy’s Coaching Journey
McCarthy began his coaching career in 2014 at Scottish club Hibernian, working with the youth team while assisting the senior squad. He later moved to Belgium, where he served as an intern and later as an assistant coach at Sint-Truiden.
It was during his time at Sint-Truiden that McCarthy obtained his coaching licenses, paving the way for his managerial career.
In 2016, he took over as head coach of Cape Town City FC in South Africa, where he won his first managerial silverware, lifting the MTN 8 Cup in 2018. However, a poor run of form—just two wins in 18 games—led to his dismissal in 2019.
McCarthy then moved to South African side Amazulu in 2020, where he guided them to their highest-ever league finish, securing a second-place spot in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and earning qualification for the CAF Champions League.
His last coaching role was at Manchester United, where he worked as a first-team coach under Erik ten Hag from 2022 to 2024.
Challenges Awaiting McCarthy at Harambee Stars
Taking over a national team presents a different kind of challenge, and McCarthy has his work cut out for him. Here are some of the key areas he will need to address:
- Squad Depth & Tactical Identity: Kenya has talented players but lacks consistency. McCarthy will need to build a strong, balanced squad while instilling a clear tactical approach.
- World Cup Qualifiers: Kenya sits in a tough qualification group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and McCarthy will need quick results against Gambia and Gabon in March.
- AFCON 2027 Preparation: With Kenya co-hosting the tournament, expectations will be high for the team to perform well on home soil.
- Restoring Confidence & Unity: The national team has had multiple managerial changes in recent years. McCarthy will need to create a winning culture and unite the squad.
Optimism for the Future
McCarthy’s appointment has been met with optimism among Kenyan football fans, who hope that his experience in European and African football will bring positive changes to Harambee Stars.
With the World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, all eyes will be on McCarthy and his team as they begin their journey toward making Kenya a competitive force on the continental and global stage.
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