Former FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is on the verge of becoming the new head coach of Kenya's men's national team, Harambee St
Former FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is on the verge of becoming the new head coach of Kenya’s men’s national team, Harambee Stars.
Benni McCarthy, 47, was the strikers’ coach at Manchester United in the 2023-24 season during Erik Ten Hag’s reign. The ex-Bafana Bafana forward in the 2020-22 season was the head coach of PSL side AmaZulu where he took them to the money zone of the CAF Champions League in the 2021-22 season.
The Kenya senior national team has not enjoyed success in recent years after missing the last three AFCONs. The Harambee Stars last played in the 2019 AFCON after qualifying for the 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 2004.
Kenya is well known for athletics as they have been a very poor nation in terms of football. The East African nation is set to host the 2024 CHAN to be played in February 2025 alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda. The trio will also co-host the 2027 AFCON.
Benni McCarthy will be tasked with helping the nation climb the ladder of African football after being in the darkness for a very long period. The nation failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON after finishing third in Group J.
The South African’s first assignment will be helping Kenya secure at least second place in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers where they sit 4th on the log with 5 points behind leaders Ivory Coast.
Per multiple reports from the Kenyan media, McCarthy is keen to take the role of a new coach for the Harambees. Francis Kimanzi is now serving as the interim head coach after 54-year-old Turkish tactician Engin Firat and the Kenyan FA parted ways after the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
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