One of football’s worst-kept secrets has officially been revealed. Former Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy has now become the new coach of the Kenya national football team.
The South African footballer boasts a well of experience, having been at both sides of the coin as both player and coach, performing at football’s highest level.
His resume includes being the only South African to ever win the prestigious EUFA Champions league with former club Porto, as well as being Bafana’s top goal scorer, a record that continues to exist to this day.
Benni McCarthy??: “I was at Porto in 2002 when José Mourinho arrived. I was in bad shape, but he told me: ‘Benni, I’ve seen you play and you will be my guy’. He treated me like a son, so I couldn’t let him down.” pic.twitter.com/WkmG4T2Dk6
— IM?? (@Iconic_Mourinho) February 26, 2025
Speaking at the unveiling, the 47-year-old highlighted that he has high ambitions of leading the Kenyan team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I am delighted to be here, and I am proud to have taken this challenge with a national team that has a lot of potential,” he explained.
FKF president Hussein Mohammed was just as delighted about Benni’s appointment. He added that while they have numerous candidates standing in line to secure the big role, Benni was just a cut above the rest.
“We had a long list of coaches who were interested, but when we looked at what he brings to the table, we were convinced it was a right decision,” he explained.
In our mission to transform Kenyan football, we are delighted to announce South African Benni McCarthy as the newly appointed Head Coach of our men’s national team the Harambee Stars.
After a rigorous selection process, we are confident that McCarthy is the right person to lead… pic.twitter.com/9VilmQ3i1P
— Hussein Mohammed (@husseinmoha) March 3, 2025
Benni’s recent appointment comes off the back of a successful two seasons with English giants Manchester United, where he assumed the role of the attacking coach alongside the club’s former head coach Erik Ten Hag and helped steer the team to winning the 2022/23 Carabao Cup.
Before this, he held the head position at several other clubs, including Belgian club Sint-Truiden, where he first started his coaching career and later ventured to South Africa, coaching both Cape Town City and AmaZulu FC.
The recent addition to his resume marks the first time Benni has been placed in charge of a national team.
Also see: Benni McCarthy’s eldest turns 20, Dad pens moving message
