Kenya has appointed South African football legend Benni McCarthy as their new head coach, just three weeks before the resumption of their World Cup qualification campaign.
McCarthy, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballing talents, will begin his tenure with Kenya’s national team later this month.
The 45-year-old McCarthy will make his debut in charge of the Harambee Stars with an away match against The Gambia, followed by a crucial home fixture against Gabon.
These two matches will be pivotal as Kenya looks to improve their standing in the highly competitive Group F of World Cup qualifiers. Currently, Kenya finds itself trailing group leaders Ivory Coast by five points, with six matches remaining in the qualification round.
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The top team in the group will automatically secure a place in the 2026 World Cup, while the four best second-place finishers across all groups will advance to a second-round playoff for a chance to secure their ticket to the global football tournament.
While McCarthy faces an uphill battle in the World Cup qualifiers, there is a long-term vision for Kenya’s footballing future. In 2027, Kenya will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Tanzania and Uganda, though they were not able to qualify for the 2025 edition of the tournament in Morocco.
McCarthy’s appointment is seen as a fresh start for Kenya as they look to improve their performances both in the World Cup qualifiers and beyond, with hopes of a strong showing when they host the prestigious AFCON tournament in a few years’ time.
The former Bafana Bafana star is known for his successful playing career in Europe and his coaching stints with Manchester United, which will undoubtedly bring invaluable experience to the national team.
Prior to his most recent stint in England, McCarthy gained managerial experience at South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
The 47-year-old former player earned 80 caps for South Africa, scoring in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. He played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United and won the Champions League with Porto in 2004.
His leadership will be crucial in guiding the Harambee Stars through these important upcoming fixtures and towards a brighter future in African football.