By McGeorge Mbare
South African football legend Benni McCarthy has been unveiled as the new head coach of Kenya men’s national team, Harambee Stars.
The 47 year old McCarthy has been hired as a replacement to Francis Kimanzi, who has been serving as the interim coach following the departure of the Tuck coach Firat Engin in 2024.
McCarthy has signed a contract that will see him through to the 2027 AFCON which Kenya will cohost with Uganda and Tanzania.
The Kemyan Football Federation has announced the appointment of McCarthy as the head coach, highlighting the significant expertise that he will bring into the squad.
“The Football Kenya Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the Kenya national football team. McCarthy, a former South African international and UEFA Champions League winner, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach,” Harambee Stars stated.
The Bafana Bafana legend joins Harambee Stars ahead of their away encounter with Gambia before hosting Gabon in the next two rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
McCarthy will be working alongside his countrymen Vasili Manousakis as the assistant coach, Moeneeb Josephs as goalkeepers coach, and Pilela Maposa as performance analyst .
The Bafana Bafana legend has previously coached Amazulu and Cape Town City in his native South Africa, taking the former to the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time ever. Mccarthy’s last assignment was with English Premier League side Manchester United as the strikers coach.