A bright future for Harambee Stars despite stumbles in Benni McCarthy first two matches in charge
His arrival has brought a fresh perspective to the national team, highlighted by the introduction of new players, particularly Mohammed Bajaber and Wilson Lenkupae, whom McCarthy brought on as substitutes against The Gambia. They rewarded him with history by scoring on their national team debuts.
Benni McCarthy's tenure as the head coach of the Harambee Stars may have begun with a dramatic 3-3 draw away to The Gambia on Thursday and a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Gabon (their first-ever away win against Kenya), but beneath the surface lies a palpable sense of optimism for the future of Kenyan football.
McCarthy had limited time to train with the squad for both matches, but the team's hunger and determination in those games have offered a glimpse of the potential McCarthy aims to unlock.
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His arrival has injected a fresh perspective into the national team, marked by the introduction of new players, particularly Mohammed Bajaber and Wilson Lenkupae, whom McCarthy introduced as substitutes against The Gambia, and they rewarded him with history by scoring on their national team debuts.
However crucial this infusion of new talent is, McCarthy still faces the challenge of managing the transition as some key players approach the twilight of their careers.
Captain Michael Olunga turns 31 on Wednesday. Anthony Akumu, who was impressive in midfield in both matches, will be 33 in October. Goalkeeper Ian Otieno will be 32 in August.
With eyes set on preparing the country for the 2027 African Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with its East African neighbours, Tanzania and Uganda, the task of identifying and nurturing their replacements will be pivotal to ensuring the team's long-term stability and success.
The current FIFA World Cup qualification campaign is seemingly beyond reach, as only four matches remain, with Ivory Coast and Gabon having amassed at least seven points more than Kenya, who are fourth in Group F with six points. McCarthy stated in the post-match interview for the Gabon game that he remains optimistic about Kenya's first World Cup qualification, acknowledging that anything can happen. However, his current focus goes beyond the team's recent results and the remaining World Cup qualifier matches.
Kenya hosting the AFCON in 2027 provides a significant opportunity for the nation to showcase its football prowess on the continental stage, and with two years to go until the tournament, McCarthy has ample time to mould the Harambee Stars into a formidable force.
It will be very important that Kenya gives its best at AFCON 2027, as currently the country holds the record for most appearances at AFCON—six—without ever progressing beyond the group stages. Harambee Stars cannot afford to extend that record while playing the tournament on home soil.
McCarthy's seemingly brief two-year contract provides ample time to establish the foundation for future success. His primary objective is to also create a competitive team whose progress will extend beyond his tenure.
It is therefore encouraging that, despite not securing wins against The Gambia and Gabon, the initial matches under McCarthy's leadership have revealed a team eager to embrace his tactical vision, serving as evidence that the 47-year-old South African is living up to his promise of establishing a signature playing style for the Harambee Stars.
“I want my legacy to be as having given an identity to Kenya’s playing style,” McCarthy said in a recent interview with FKF Media.
Another defining characteristic of McCarthy's early reign has been his willingness to take calculated risks. Against The Gambia and Gabon, he demonstrated a fearless approach to substitutions, often opting for an all-out attack mode when the team was chasing a result. This worked exceptionally well against The Gambia, during which his substitutions inspired Harambee Stars to come back twice against the West Africans to snatch a 3-3 draw in dramatic fashion.
This bold strategy, even when facing potential defensive weaknesses, underscores his determination to instil a winning mentality and maximise the team's offensive capabilities. His proactive decision-making has injected an element of unpredictability and excitement into the team's play, in every way echoing his recent comments before Harambee Stars played The Gambia about wanting to build a team that plays with hunger and determination.
Also, McCarthy has swiftly raised the standards within the national team setup. He has made it clear that excuses for failing to win are unacceptable, fostering a culture of accountability and high expectations.
Following the defeat against Gabon, McCarthy, while accepting the team was affected by the short turnaround between its matches against The Gambia and Gabon, stated, “I do not want to make excuses for losing today. Even though we had a long flight and little time to train, we want to win every game, and today we had chances that could have made a difference."
This no-nonsense approach aims to eliminate complacency and instil a relentless drive for success by demanding that players take full responsibility for their performances.
Further, McCarthy's experience as a former professional footballer, coupled with his coaching acumen, positions him well to guide the Harambee Stars. His understanding of the game's intricacies and his ability to motivate players are valuable assets in his quest to transform Kenyan football.
“I had an incredible football career, and as a coach, I know what I want from the players I select. I will also be following the progress of Kenyan players all over the world because I am not the kind of coach who selects players based on another person’s recommendation,” McCarthy said after the match against Gabon, emphasising his hands-on approach to managing Harambee Stars.
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