March 03, (THEWILL) – Former South African football star Benni McCarthy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Kenya national team on a two-year contract that will extend to the 2027, Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda. The 47-year-old replaces interim coach Francis Kimanzi and begins his tenure with World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon this month.
McCarthy, who represented South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, remains optimistic about Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 tournament despite the team currently sitting fourth in Group F with five points from four matches. “With the right mindset and dedication from the players and the willingness to learn and give everything for the course, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying”, McCarthy enthused.
The new appointment comes following a period of instability for Kenyan football, which saw the country suspended from international competition in 2022 after government intervention in the national federation. The Football Kenya Federation now operates under new leadership, with former Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga serving as vice president.
McCarthy brings considerable experience to the role, having won domestic titles with Ajax and Porto, including the 2004 UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho. His coaching career includes stints with Cape Town City and AmaZulu in South Africa, as well as serving on Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United before accepting the Kenya position.
The South African describes himself as “an exceptional serial winner” who “hates losing” and promises to build a team that reflects Kenyan values. “For me, it is about giving the fans, the true Kenyan, an identity,” he explained. “Kenyan people are known as hard workers, they are known for being loyal – and that is the kind of national team I want to give them.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
