Kenyan football is on the brink of a new era with the anticipated appointment of Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the national team, Harambee Stars. The former South African international, who most recently served as the attacking coach at Manchester United, is set to take the reins following the resignation of Engin Firat.
Firat's departure came after three challenging years, marked by only three competitive victories and the team's failure to qualify for the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His resignation came as Kenya's football federation underwent a transformation with the appointment of new leadership, signaling the need for fresh direction at the helm of the national team.
According to reports from Mozzart Sport, McCarthy's appointment is not just likely—it’s nearly finalized. "It’s a done deal—Benni will be the new Kenya coach," said a source familiar with negotiations. With all terms reportedly agreed upon, fans can expect McCarthy to be unveiled officially early next January, marking what will be his first foray as head coach of a national team.
Kenya’s new leadership, under Vice President MacDonald Mariga, conducted interviews to find the most promising candidate to lead the nation’s football team forward. It appears McCarthy stood out during these evaluations, with excitement brewing among federation officials about the prospects of his leadership.
Having been one of South Africa's greatest footballers, McCarthy garnered accolades during his playing days, including lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy with Porto under the tutelage of José Mourinho. He transitioned to coaching, earning his stripes at youth and club levels, leading teams with impressive results and showcasing his adaptive coaching philosophy.
McCarthy is expected to undertake significant rebuilding efforts for the Harambee Stars, who are currently fourth in their group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His immediate focus will be on the international window scheduled for March, where Kenya will face Gambia and Gabon, as the team aims to improve their standing after finishing below expectations under Firat.
Before his official duties commence, it remains uncertain whether McCarthy will take charge of the team for the African Nations Championships (CHAN), set to start on February 1, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Meanwhile, former coach Francis Kimanzi has been promoted to interim head coach for the Mapinduzi Cup, leading the squad as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Anticipation surrounds McCarthy's appointment, with expectations high for him to instill winning mentality and strategies within the team. He has openly expressed his commitment to playing a style of football driven by the players’ strengths and skills. "It’s about the style of football players want to be part of. A team must play a brand of football reflecting its players," he stated during previous interviews.
This new chapter for Harambee Stars marks not only a shift in coaching staff but could also signify the federation’s commitment to revamping the team to culminate success at the 2027 AFCON, which Kenya will co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda. Integration of younger players, especially those from the highly-ranked U20 team, will likely play a central role as McCarthy looks to build long-term resilience and competitiveness within the squad.
Overall, McCarthy's tenure is seen as pivotal not just for immediate successes but for establishing Kenya as a formidable force on the continental stage. The new coach's track record and insights gained at high levels of competition will undoubtedly fuel optimism among supporters and players alike as they enter this challenging, yet exhilarating, phase of Kenyan football.
