Benni McCarthy Appointed as Harambee Stars Head Coach Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Kenya's national football team, the Harambee Stars, has appointed South African football legend Benni McCarthy as their new head coach, effective March 3, 2025. McCarthy, 47, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach, having previously served as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officially unveiled McCarthy during a ceremony at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. 

He expressed his enthusiasm about leading the Harambee Stars, stating,

"It is an absolute privilege and honour for me to be here in Kenya. With the kind of names the country has, with the right mentality we can get to very high levels. We can get to the World Cup."

McCarthy's immediate challenge is to prepare the team for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. Kenya is currently trailing leaders Ivory Coast by five points in Group F but has six matches left to play. 

The group winners will qualify for the finals, with the four best runners-up having a chance to progress via a second round. 

In addition to his coaching credentials, McCarthy boasts an illustrious playing career. He earned 80 caps for South Africa, scoring at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and lifted the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004. 

Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals with Tanzania and Uganda but did not qualify for the 2025 finals in Morocco. McCarthy's appointment is seen as a strategic move to elevate Kenyan football on the continental and global stage.

The FKF's decision to appoint McCarthy signals an ambition to bring a proven winner into the fold. His presence alone could inspire players to elevate their game, much like how he galvanized AmaZulu to their historic CAF Champions League qualification. 

McCarthy's first test as head coach will be the World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon later this month. Kenyan football fans are hopeful that his leadership will usher in a new era of success for the Harambee Stars.