Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has expressed his surprise at the high level of quality displayed by Harambee Stars players in his first training session. The South African tactician, who was recently appointed to lead Kenya’s World Cup qualifying campaign, has set his sights on building a competitive team that will make Kenyans proud.
McCarthy Begins His Reign with High Expectations
McCarthy, 47, was named head coach of Harambee Stars following the departure of Engin Firat. With Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign already underway, the former Manchester United first-team coach wasted no time assembling his first squad, blending experienced players with emerging young talents.
On Tuesday, March 11, McCarthy unveiled his first provisional squad as Harambee Stars began preparations for two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon. However, players from FKF Premier League giants Gor Mahia and Tusker FC were absent from the first training session due to their club commitments over the weekend.
Despite this setback, McCarthy used the opportunity to assess the available players and was left impressed by the talent on display.
Here’s the #HarambeeStars provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon pic.twitter.com/DmERpvULLb
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 11, 2025
McCarthy Praises Harambee Stars’ Talent
After watching his squad in action for the first time, McCarthy admitted that he was pleasantly surprised by the quality and commitment of his players.
“It was a good experience for some of the young players we called up. It was also a chance for me to see them showcase their abilities and get to know them better. Likewise, it gave them a chance to understand how I like to work, the intensity required, and what international football is all about,” McCarthy said in an interview with Flashscore.
He continued, “For a first training session, I thought they adapted really well. I was surprised by the level of quality in the squad. That is always a positive thing for the country and the team as a whole.”
McCarthy acknowledged that, having only recently taken over, he had not watched many local league matches. As a result, he relied on the input of assistant coach Francis Kimanzi and other technical staff to help select the squad.
“I have only managed to watch one league game since I arrived, so I didn’t have a wide knowledge of the players available. I had to rely on video analysis and recommendations from the technical team. That’s why I called up extra players—to assess them personally. I’m glad I did because it allowed me to see the depth we have.”
McCarthy Outlines Vision for Harambee Stars
The former Porto striker emphasized that his long-term goal is to build a team that plays exciting, competitive football and instills pride among Kenyans.
“This training session was important for me to evaluate the players and establish my expectations. It was just the first day, so naturally, everyone was a bit nervous, but overall, I saw a group of players willing to work hard and fight for the team,” McCarthy noted.
He further explained that his coaching philosophy revolves around hard work, discipline, and a commitment to winning games.
“We are going to work extremely hard to get this team ready. My goal is to build a team that plays good football, fights for every ball, and, most importantly, wins matches. I want the fans to feel proud of this team when they see them on the pitch,” he added.
First Priority: Gambia and Gabon World Cup Qualifiers
McCarthy’s immediate focus is on Harambee Stars’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Kenya will face Gambia on March 20 at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast before returning home to host Gabon at Nyayo Stadium on March 23.
“Our main priority right now is the Gambia game. We need to ensure we are fully prepared for that match. A strong result against Gambia will give us momentum as we head into the Gabon game,” McCarthy explained.
He acknowledged that qualifying for the World Cup is a tough task but remains optimistic about Kenya’s chances.
“It’s going to be hard work, but the talent and quality in this squad speak for themselves. If we get things right and execute our plans effectively, we can achieve something special.”
Kenya’s Current Standing in Group F
Harambee Stars have had a mixed start to their World Cup qualification campaign. Under previous coach Engin Firat, Kenya recorded the following results:
- Lost 2-1 to Gabon
- Defeated Seychelles 5-0
- Drew 1-1 with Burundi
- Drew 1-1 with African champions Ivory Coast
These results leave Kenya fourth in Group F with five points. Table leaders Ivory Coast have 10 points, followed by Gabon (9 points) and Burundi (7 points). Gambia sits in fifth with 3 points, while Seychelles remains bottom with zero points.
Kenya must secure victories in the upcoming matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Building a Team That Kenyans Can Be Proud Of
McCarthy reiterated his desire to create a team that embodies the fighting spirit of Kenyan football.
“I want to bring a team that Kenyans can be proud of. A team that plays with passion, discipline, and a hunger to win. That’s what my technical team and I are working towards.”
With his extensive experience as a player and coach, including stints in the English Premier League and international football, McCarthy brings valuable expertise to Harambee Stars. As Kenya gears up for two crucial qualifiers, all eyes will be on whether he can inspire the team to success on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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