Benni McCarthy Chooses Harambee Stars Over MLS, Set for Official Unveiling
The search for a new head coach for Harambee Stars has intensified, with an official announcement expected soon.
Kenya’s men’s national team has been without a permanent coach since early December, following Engin Firat’s resignation. Francis Kimanzi was appointed as interim coach and led the team in the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar. This tournament was initially meant to help Kenya prepare for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which was originally scheduled for this month.
However, CHAN—set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—has been postponed to August. This delay has given the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) additional time to finalize the appointment of a permanent head coach.
“FKF is looking for a substantive coach and a competent technical bench to achieve our objectives. It is an ongoing process, which is why the current technical bench was appointed on an interim basis,” FKF President Hussein Mohamed stated in a previous interview.
Benni McCarthy Emerges as Top Choice
Benni McCarthy has emerged as the front-runner to replace Firat. According to renowned Kenyan football analyst Kevin Teya, McCarthy is set to arrive in Kenya on Wednesday ahead of his official unveiling on Friday.
South African outlet iDiski Times reports that McCarthy received offers from Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in the United States but opted for the Harambee Stars job instead.
McCarthy’s First Task as Harambee Stars Coach
The former Manchester United forwards’ coach will take charge just in time for Kenya’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Harambee Stars will face Gambia away on March 19 before hosting Gabon four days later. Kenya currently sits fourth in Group F, with five points after four games. Ivory Coast leads the group with 10 points, followed by Gabon with nine, and Burundi with seven. Only the top team in the group will secure automatic qualification for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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Benni McCarthy Chooses Harambee Stars Over MLS, Set for Official Unveiling
