South African football legend Benni McCarthy is set to become the new head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed that McCarthy will replace interim coach Francis Kimanzi, who has been serving since December 2024 following the resignation of Turkish tactician Engin Firat.
McCarthy, 47, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. He previously served as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag from 2020 to 2024. Before his tenure at Old Trafford, McCarthy managed Cape Town City (2017–2019) and AmaZulu (2020–2022) in South Africa. citeturn0news14His first assignment with Harambee Stars will be the 2026 World Cup Group ‘F’ qualifier against Gabon on March 24 at Nyayo National Stadium. Kenya currently sits fourth in the group, with Côte d’Ivoire leading.
McCarthy is expected to arrive in Kenya by the end of this week to finalize his appointment. Reports indicate that he has chosen the Harambee Stars position over offers from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
In preparation for his new role, McCarthy is reportedly considering including former teammates in his coaching staff. This strategic move aims to leverage their shared experiences and enhance team cohesion.
The FKF has expressed confidence in McCarthy’s ability to lead the national team back to its former glory, emphasizing the importance of merit-based selection and a strong technical bench.
As McCarthy prepares to take the helm, Kenyan football fans are hopeful that his leadership will usher in a new era of success for the Harambee Stars.
