Published on March 3, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
South African legend Benni McCarthy who was serving as a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag in the English Premier League (EPL) has officially been unveiled as head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars.
The South African has signed a two-year deal until 2027 – when Kenya co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Uganda and Tanzania.
Joining him on the technical bench are Vasili Manousakis as Assistant Coach, Moeneeb Josephs as Goalkeepers Coach, and Pilela Maposa as Performance Analyst.
Speaking during the unveiling of the new coach, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed said McCarthy was the outright choice for the national team post due to his outstanding qualities.
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 2019, Kenya has had a revolving door of coaches. From Frenchman Sebastian Migne, Jacob Mulee, Francis Kimanzi and Firat
McCarthy’s immediate task with the team will be preparing the team for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon on March 24 at the Nyayo Stadium.
Speaking after his unveiling in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), McCarthy expressed his excitement at taking over at his new workstation, underlining his ambitions with the team.
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.
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.
