Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy set to take over as Harambee Stars coach
McCarthy is expected to arrive on Wednesday ahead of his official unveiling on Friday.
South African football legend and former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy is expected in the country by the end of this week to officially take over as the new Harambee Stars head coach.
McCarthy is expected to arrive on Wednesday ahead of his official unveiling on Friday.
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The 47-year-old tactician, who previously served as a first-team coach at Manchester United, is bringing in his former teammate Moeneeb Josephs as part of his backroom staff.
Josephs, a former South African international goalkeeper, played for Orlando Pirates between 2008 and 2013 and is expected to add valuable experience to the technical bench.
McCarthy’s decision to blend local coaches with his trusted allies signals his intent to build a strong foundation for the team.
McCarthy, who remains South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals, replaces Francis Kimanzi, who had been serving in an interim capacity. Kimanzi stepped in after the resignation of Turkish coach Engin Firat on December 11, 2024, following a dispute over unpaid salary arrears.
His first major test will be Kenya’s crucial 2026 World Cup Group ‘F’ qualifier against Gabon on March 24 at Nyayo National Stadium.
The match will be a key opportunity for Harambee Stars to revive their qualification hopes, as they currently sit fourth in the group with five points from four matches. Côte d’Ivoire leads with 10 points, followed by Gabon (nine points), Burundi (seven points), Gambia (three points), and Seychelles (zero points).
McCarthy is also expected to attend Sunday’s highly anticipated ‘Mashemeji’ Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. This will be a chance for him to assess local talent ahead of his tenure.
With Kenya having played its recent international matches in Uganda and South Africa, the upcoming fixture against Gabon will also serve as a crucial test for Nyayo Stadium as a home venue for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
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