Kenya will be seeking to turn around its soccer fortunes following the appointment of new head coach Benny McCarthy.
Kenya has failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations since making appearance at the 2019 edition in Egypt.
The South African, Mcarthy who is set to agree to a two year deal has his in tray full at the assumption of his new role.
Kenya missed out on the 2025 AFCON due later this year in Morocco after coming short in the 4 team group qualifiers. Kenya finished third in group J behind group winners Cameroon and second placed Zimbabwe who qualified with 14 and 9 points respectively.
McCarthy’s first task will be to guide Kenya in its remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Kenya trails group leaders Ivory Coast by five points and the new coach will be expected to inspire Stars campaign back on track. Kenya lies 4th behind Ivory Coast, second placed Gabon and Burundi who have managed 10,9 and 7 points respectively.
Gambia and Seychelles occupy bottom two positions respectively.The next round of the qualifiers,match day five are scheduled to resume mid this month with Kenya taking on Gambia on 17th March away in Bangui before hosting Gabon on 24th March.
Is McCarthy the Man to Fix Stars
Benny McCarthy is the leading South Africa National soccer team record goalscorer with 31 goals.His playing Cv is undoubtedly impressive. While turning out for Bafanabafana at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations he emerged as the joint top scorer and also played at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup.
At Club level he achieved great success with Porto where he won the Champions League title under head coach Jose Morinho.He also played for Blackburn Rovers,WestHam United,Ajax,Celta Vigo and Orlando Pirates.
His coaching career has seen him train Hibernian a scotish outfit,St.Truidence. He later went back to South Africa where his coaching capability shone bright with Cape Town City where he won his first silverware as a coach in 2018 when he guided City to the MTN 8 cup.
He moved to Amazulu in December 2020 and McCarthy led AmaZulu to the group stages of the 2021–22 CAF Champions League in their debut season before exiting the competition.
On 30 July 2022, McCarthy was appointed as a first-team coach at Manchester United.[31] Benni McCarthy’s contract with Manchester United ended on 27 June 2024.
McCarthy chose not to renew his two-year contract so he could return to being a head coach.
