Benni McCarthy Appointed New Head Coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars

Kenya has appointed Benni McCarthy as the head coach of the Harambee Stars, succeeding Francis Kimanzi. His first task is the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia. Mukura Victory Sport stunned APR FC in the Rwanda Premier League, while Simba SC draws Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup. Al Hilal prepares to face Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, and Uganda and Tanzania are set for U-17 AFCON group stage challenges.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has appointed Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the national football team, Harambee Stars. The official announcement took place at a ceremony attended by FKF officials, government representatives, sponsors, and football legends at Serena Hotel in Nairobi. McCarthy, alongside goalkeepers coach Moeneeb Josephs, succeeds Francis Kimanzi, who served as interim coach.

Coach McCarthy’s first challenge will be the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers this month, where he will lead the team against Gabon and Gambia. In a statement, McCarthy expressed his excitement, stating, “I am delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started to make Kenya one of the best Football teams.” He highlighted his intention to leverage his European and South African experiences to enhance the team’s competitiveness.

Hussein Mohammed, FKF President, emphasized McCarthy’s appointment stemmed from his significant exposure and passion for African football. He noted that McCarthy’s previous experience in Europe was a critical factor for his selection. Mohammed stated, “Given his exposure and of course with all the support from the stakeholders, McCarthy will take the Kenyan team far.” McCarthy, a UEFA Champions League winner, has previously managed clubs in South Africa and served with distinction at Manchester United.

In other updates, Mukura Victory Sport recently defeated APR FC 1-0 in the Rwanda Premier League, with Destin Malanda scoring the sole goal. APR FC currently holds second place in the league standings, having recently secured the Heroes Cup title. Meanwhile, in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, Simba SC faces a challenging matchup against Al Masry SC, as noted by head coach Fadlu Davids, who anticipates difficulty against their Egyptian opponents.

In CAF Champions League news, Al Hilal from Sudan has been drawn against reigning champions Al Ahly. Despite the political unrest in their home country, Al Hilal has excelled, emerging from their group successfully. The upcoming quarter-final matches are set to be contested over two legs in early April.

Lastly, the U-17 AFCON 2025 draw has placed Uganda and Tanzania in Group A alongside Morocco and Zambia. The tournament, which will take place from March to April 2025, will feature 16 teams, with the top ten earning qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Football Kenya Federation has officially appointed Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the Harambee Stars, succeeding Francis Kimanzi. McCarthy aims to leverage his extensive experience to strengthen the team ahead of important qualifiers. Additionally, Al Hilal and Simba SC are facing significant challenges in their respective CAF competitions, while Uganda and Tanzania prepare for the U-17 AFCON. These developments highlight the dynamic nature of African football.

Original Source: cecafaonline.com