Benni McCarthy Excited for Kenya’s Debut in 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Benni McCarthy, the new coach of the Kenya national football team, is excited for his debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, starting with a match against Gambia. After two draws, Kenya is 4th in Group F, five points behind leaders Ivory Coast. Gambia, hoping to win following a recent loss, is two points behind Kenya. McCarthy aims for an attacking style, a sentiment echoed by Gambia’s coach.
Benni McCarthy, the coach of the Kenya national football team, expressed his excitement to lead the Harambee Stars in their forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The campaign commences against Gambia on March 20, 2025, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium, with the match scheduled to kick off at 9:00 PM CAT.
The Harambee Stars have encountered difficulties early in the qualifiers, accruing two consecutive draws against Burundi and Ivory Coast. Currently, Kenya sits in 4th place in Group F, trailing the leaders, Ivory Coast, by five points after completing four matches.
As McCarthy embarks on his inaugural World Cup qualifying journey with Kenya, he emphasized the importance of embracing challenges. He stated, “I’m thrilled to lead my first two World Cup qualifiers. I’m eager to work with the talented squad I’ve selected for the campaign.” He acknowledged the formidable task ahead but expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to face the challenge together.
Gambia is also seeking to regain momentum following a recent 3-2 defeat against Gabon. They currently occupy the 5th position in Group F, two points behind Kenya, as they prepare for this critical match in the Ivory Coast.
Gambia’s coach, Johnathan McKinstry, commented on McCarthy’s appointment, anticipating that Kenya would adopt a more attacking style of play. He remarked, “It’s a new era in Kenyan Football. Benni has obviously taken over recently and, historically, Benni’s teams… have wanted to press more, wanted to be more attacking.”
In conclusion, Benni McCarthy’s debut as coach of the Harambee Stars is marked by enthusiasm and a recognition of the challenges that lie ahead in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With Kenya’s current standing necessitating improvement, the upcoming match against Gambia represents a pivotal opportunity to enhance the team’s ranking in Group F. The expectation for a more dynamic and aggressive style of play under McCarthy’s leadership also adds a layer of excitement to this new chapter in Kenyan football.
Original Source: africanfootball.com
