News of Benni McCarthy linked with the Kenyan national team have been making the rounds for some time and now reports coming from that region have echoed the noise around McCarthy move.
The Bafana Bafana legend has been without a coaching job since his departure from Manchester United last year and has been linked with a couple of gigs including the Mamelodi Sundowns top job before Miguel Cardoso was appointed as head coach.
According to a Mozzart Sport report, McCarthy is expected to arrive in Nairobi today (Wednesday) ahead of his official unveiling expected to be held on Friday.
Former Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs is rumored to be among those who will serve as one of McCarthy’s Lieutenants while Cape Town Spurs assistant coach Vasili Manousakis might be roped in as Benni’s righthand man.
While Kenya are not perceived as a world-beaters in the football fraternity, they do have half-a-dozen Africa Cup of Nations participation stamps next to their name. However, they have never gone beyond the group stages and that is where McCarthy comes in.
Kenya will co-host the 2027 Afcon edition alongside Uganda and Tanzania, where hopes and expectations are for host nations to make it into the knockout phase.
The Harambee Stars are ranked 108th in the world as per the latest Fifa rankings and will look to rack up more points in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Gabon next month.
Speaking to Ntv, a source revealed plans are underway to welcome McCarthy to the safari capital of the world.
“We have a new coach, Benni McCarthy, who will be taking over the team and is expected to arrive in the country before the end of the week.
“He is a qualified coach who we believe can help steer the national team to prosperity,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday, as per Ntv’s report.
“Our aim is to build a good team that will take Kenya back to the glory days, and everything will be done based on merit, including selection to the national team,” he added.
