Former Manchester United striker, Coach and South African football legend Benni McCarthy has been unveiled as the new Kenya's National Team Harambee Stars, Head Coach.
The 47-year-old, who was unveiled in an event hosted at Nairobi on Monday, March 3, replaces Francis Kimanzi, who had been serving in an interim capacity following the resignation of Turkish coach Firat Engin last year.
Speaking after his unveiling, McCarthy expressed his excitement at taking over at his new workstation, underlining his ambitions with the team.
“It’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to be here in Kenya. I am delighted, and I can’t really wait to start our new journey…making Kenya again one of the powerhouses in Africa,” the former Manchester United forwards coach said.
He will debut later this month with an away match against The Gambia followed by a home clash with Gabon.
Kenya trail leaders Ivory Coast by five points in World Cup qualifying Group F but have six matches to play.
The group winners qualify for the finals, with the four best runners-up having the chance to progress via a second round.
Kenya, who are currently ranked 108th in the FIFA world rankings, are currently fourth in their World Cup qualification group four points behind second-placed Gabon and potential progress to the next state of qualification.
Joining McCarthy’s technical bench are Vasili Manousakis as Assistant Coach, Moeneeb Josephs as Goalkeepers Coach, and Pilela Maposa as Performance Analyst. The quartet has signed two-year contracts.
"Together with my coaching team, including Vasili Manousakis, Moeneeb Josephs, and Pilela Maposa, we are committed to building a structured, disciplined, and competitive squad. Our goal is to develop a strong team identity, play exciting football, and make the nation proud. I look forward to working with the players, the federation, and the passionate Kenyan fans to achieve success," he added.
McCarthy’s last role in football was as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching team at Manchester United but he left the club last summer as he wanted to return to management.
His appointment marks a historic moment, as he becomes only the third African coach from outside Kenya to lead Harambee Stars, following Nigeria's Christian Chukwu and Algerian-Belgian Adel Amrouche.
According to Details of his Contract with the Kenyan Football Federation (FKF), the Coach is set to lead 'Stars transformation to the duration of the AFCON 2027.
McCarthy’s arrival comes at a time when the country is preparing to take part in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which Kenya is co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The country is also set to feature in the delayed 2024 African Cations Championships (CHAN) edition as a host country.
The coach also shared his vision of seeing Kenya host successful CHAN and AFCON tournaments as not only participants but also contenders.
“For WC qualification, we want to showcase and make a good account of ourselves. We want to make Kenyan proud of hosting CHAN and AFCON and see the national team in the latter stages or finals,” he said.
Speaking at the same venue, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed expressed confidence in the new technical team.
"After a rigorous selection process, we are confident that Benni McCarthy is the right person to lead our national team forward. His experience, vision, and commitment to developing Kenyan football align perfectly with our ambitions. Alongside him, we welcome Vasili Manousakis as Assistant Coach, Moeneeb Josephs as Goalkeepers Coach, and Pilela Maposa as Performance Analyst. This team brings a wealth of expertise, and we believe they will instil tactical discipline, structure, and a winning mentality as we prepare for upcoming competitions," Hussein said.
