David GOMBE
Kenya’s new National team head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that the Harambee Stars can surprise many people and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Manchester United first team coach was officially confirmed as the country’s new head coach on Monday.
“Participating in the World Cup, it is one of the most special feelings in the world and I want to give them that,” Said McCarthy as quoted by BBC Sport Africa.
“With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and the willingness to learn and willingness to give everything they’ve got for the course, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup.”
Kenya are currently fourth out of six teams in Group F with five points from four games five points behind leaders Ivory Coast.
His first games will be the World Cup Qualifier matches against The Gambia and at home against Gabon.
Only the group winners qualify automatically for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The four best runners-up from the nine groups will have a second chance via the play-offs.
McCarthy was appointed as Kenya’s new coach on a two year employment contract replacing interim coach Francis Kimanzi who served the nation since Turkish coach Engin Firat stepped down at the end of last year.
The South African legend is among the most recognisable names in African football, following a successful playing career in Europe.
During his playing time, he won Dutch league and cup titles with Ajax before repeating the trick in Portugal with Jose Mourinho’s Porto, also added the 2004 Champions League title to his trophy haul.
He spent five years in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham before finishing his playing days back in South Africa with Orlando Pirates.
McCarthy began his coaching career as an assistant with Belgian club Sint-Truiden before taking charge of both Cape Town City and AmaZulu in his homeland.
At English giant side Manchester United, he was part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom team.
McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time record goalscorer and represented his nation at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, but Kenya have never qualified for the competition.
