McCarthy promises Kenya footballing success

Benni McCarthy’s contract with Kenya runs until the conclusion of the next Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2027, which the east African country will be co-hosting with neighbours Tanzania and Uganda.

This was confirmed on Monday at the unveiling of Bafana Bafana’s top scorer as the new Harambee Stars coach, along with Moeneeb Josephs as one of his assistants.

“I would just like to say that it's been an absolute privilege and a pleasure for me to be here in Kenya and to be surrounded with all great people in here,” were the opening remarks from the 47-year-old former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach.

“I'm delighted and I really can't wait to start our new journey making Kenya again one of the powerhouses in African football.”

McCarthy starts with Kenya five points behind in their World Cup qualifying group but with six matches to go. He nevertheless made a bold prediction about getting into the finals in North America in 2026.

They face Gambia away and Gabon at home in the qualifiers later this month.

“How can I not, with the undiscovered talent that is here and the potential that this Kenya national team has. When you look at other national teams, some are doing well with half the talent that is here in Kenya.

“So, with the right leaders in charge, with the right coaches, with the right mentality and the right mindset and the right work ethic, we can get this team to greater heights,” he said.

'ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE'

Asked about the difficulties of working with the Kenyan federation, who had not paid their previous coach, McCarthy said of his new employers.

“There is a new regime that was very transparent, honest and open. Africa's biggest challenge is no transparency. People say everything is okay, but when you come there nothing is okay. I grew up my life growing up in Africa, so I'm accustomed to that, you know, but then I got educated in European football.

“For many years, I've learned the European way but I know very much how Africa functions, but I also learned how to do the right things to make African better. Now I want to come back, and I want to just make sure that these players understand, and that African people understand through hard work and dedication and pursuing what you want, anything is possible,” he told his unveiling in Nairobi.

Warned about unrealistic expectations of Kenyan fans, McCarthy added: “I can understand their pain and where the passion comes from and the negativity, but the way we want to work and the way we want to change this, to put the negativity into positivity, I think people are really going to be surprised of what we can achieve.”