Newly appointed Harambee Stars head coach, Benni McCarthy, has vowed to transform Kenya’s national football team into a dominant force in East Africa. Speaking during his official unveiling, McCarthy outlined his vision of not only building a competitive squad but also making Kenyans proud as the country prepares to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The former South African international emphasized his ultimate ambition—to guide Kenya deep into major tournaments, with a strong push for the semi-finals or even the final.
All-South African Technical Bench
McCarthy will lead an entirely South African technical bench, which includes:
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- Benni McCarthy – Head Coach
- Vasili Manousakis – Assistant Coach
- Moeneeb Josephs – Goalkeeper Coach
- Pilela Maposa – Performance Analyst
Expressing his excitement about the new role, McCarthy assured Kenyans that he and his team are fully committed to developing a disciplined, structured, and competitive squad.
“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,” said McCarthy.
He further emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration with key stakeholders.
“Together with my coaching team, we are committed to building a structured, disciplined, and competitive squad. Our goal is to develop a strong team identity, play exciting football, and make the nation proud. I look forward to working with the players, the federation, and the passionate Kenyan fans to achieve success.”
Long-Term Commitment
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed confirmed that McCarthy and his technical team have been contracted until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The term for Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy and the entire technical bench runs until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” stated Hussein Mohammed.
Additionally, Mohammed reiterated FKF’s stance on player selection, making it clear that the federation will not interfere with national team call-ups.
“As a federation, we will not dictate who earns national team call-ups—whether under Beldine or Benni McCarthy. The selection will be entirely up to the coaches,” he affirmed.
With McCarthy at the helm, Kenya now looks ahead to a new era of football, with fans hopeful that his leadership will propel the Harambee Stars to unprecedented success on the continental stage.