News that South African Benni McCarthy will be the man to take over the mantle at national football team Harambee Stars was a big relief.
You see, McCarthy is a tried and tested man. He’s been there, done that. As a player, he was prolific. As a coach, he a proven track record.
But, will he succeed where many before him have failed?
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is set to officially unveil McCarthy on today, marking the start of what many hope will be a new era for Kenyan football.
McCarthy arrives in Nairobi with a formidable reputation, but can he translate his illustrious playing career into success in the dugout?
While no one doubts his ability as a footballer—he remains Bafana Bafana’s all-time top scorer and the only South African to win the UEFA Champions League—his ability to steer Kenya back to greatness will be the real test.
The former Manchester United first team coach will be replacing interim boss Francis Kimanzi, who stepped in following the controversial departure of Turkish tactician Engin Firat.
Since Sebastian Migné led Kenya to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the national team has been on a downward spiral.
Their recent performances, including failing to qualify for the 2025 Afcon and suffering humiliating defeats in the CHAN qualifiers, have left fans disillusioned.
McCarthy arrives with an impressive CV, but faces a monumental challenge to transform the Harambee Stars into a competitive force.
The tactician is no stranger to success. The former forward remains South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 international goals, a feat that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest footballers from the continent.
He remains the only South African to have lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy, achieving the historic feat with FC Porto in the 2003–04 season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
But will his experience at the highest levels of European football translate into success in the dugout? His coaching journey suggests he might just have what it takes.
McCarthy began his coaching career in Belgium as an assistant at Sint-Truiden before taking over as head coach at Cape Town City. In 2018, he led the team to victory in the MTN 8 Cup, securing his first piece of silverware as a coach.
His success continued at AmaZulu, where he masterminded the club’s best-ever league finish in the modern era, guiding them to second place in the 2020–21 DStv Premiership and earning them a place in the CAF Champions League.
Most recently, McCarthy has been serving as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, where he has worked with elite attacking talent such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Anthony Martial.
His experience at one of the world’s biggest clubs adds to his credentials, but managing a national team presents a different kind of challenge.
McCarthy arrived in Nairobi last Thursday and is expected to hit the ground running with the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers looming large. Kenya faces Gambia on March 17, followed by a clash against Gabon.
The Harambee Stars currently sit fourth in Group F with five points, trailing Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Burundi. With only one win in four matches, qualification remains a daunting task, but McCarthy has been brought in to steady the ship.
His immediate challenge will be revamping a squad that has under-performed in recent years.
The Firat era was marked by inconsistency, with the team managing just seven wins in 23 matches under the Turkish tactician.
His win percentage of 30% was uninspiring, and his inability to secure crucial victories in competitive matches sealed his fate. Now, the pressure is on McCarthy to deliver results and restore pride to Kenyan football.
McCarthy’s coaching philosophy revolves around attacking football, pressing high, and playing with intensity—traits he has emphasised throughout his managerial career.
At Cape Town City and AmaZulu, his teams were known for their fluid passing and relentless attacking play. Kenyan football fans, who have long endured defensive and uninspiring performances, could see a more dynamic approach under his leadership.
However, success will depend on more than just tactics. Harambee Stars have struggled with administrative instability, player selection controversies, and a lack of consistent squad development.
One area where McCarthy could make an immediate impact is in player motivation. Known for his charismatic personality, he has the ability to instill belief in his squad.
His presence alone could inspire players to elevate their game, much like how he galvanized AmaZulu to their historic CAF Champions League qualification.
The FKF’s decision to appoint McCarthy signals an ambition to bring a proven winner into the fold. But coaching Harambee Stars is no easy task.
Since 2019, Kenya has had a revolving door of coaches, with no one able to bring lasting stability. From Migne, Jacob Mulee, Francis Kimanzi and Firat, nobody seemed capable to steer the sinking ship.
If McCarthy is to succeed, he will need full support from FKF, the government, and fans alike.
In his unveiling, McCarthy will undoubtedly outline his vision for Kenyan football. The big question is whether he will be given the time and resources to execute it.
For now, optimism fills the air. A new era has begun, and Kenyan football fans will be hoping that, this time, their national team is in the right hands.
