From Manchester United to Nairobi: Benni McCarthy’s Big Challenge

By Lezen Barnaba

South African football legend Benni McCarthy has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars.

McCarthy, 47, was unveiled in Nairobi on March 3, 2025, after signing a two-year contract that will run until 2027.

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Harambee Stars prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

McCarthy is a highly respected figure in African football. As a player, he earned 80 caps for South Africa, scoring in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

His illustrious club career included stints in the English Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, as well as winning the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto in 2004 under José Mourinho.

After retiring, McCarthy transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach at Sint-Truiden before managing Cape Town City and AmaZulu in South Africa.

Most recently, he was part of Manchester United’s coaching staff, focusing on attacking play under Erik ten Hag.

McCarthy will be supported by a technical team consisting of Vasili Manousakis as Assistant Coach, Moeneeb Josephs as Goalkeepers Coach, and Pilela Maposa as Performance Analyst. All members of the technical team have signed two-year contracts.

McCarthy’s first major challenge will be navigating the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Kenya is currently in Group F, five points behind leaders Ivory Coast. The team faces crucial matches against The Gambia away and Gabon at home later this month.

“We aim to secure every available point and see if we can finish top or secure a second-place spot to enter the playoffs,” McCarthy stated.

Kenya missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but will co-host the 2027 AFCON with Tanzania and Uganda.

His appointment is part of Kenya’s strategy to build a strong team ahead of this competition.

Historically, Kenya has had successful coaches like Reinhard Fabisch, Marshall Mulwa, Eckard Krautzun, and Francis Kimanzi, who have left lasting impacts on the national team.

Kenyan fans have high expectations for McCarthy. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed expressed confidence in McCarthy’s ability to succeed, noting, “He has fire in his belly… very competitive and really wants to win. He understands African culture.”