2025 Review: How Benni McCarthy rekindled public trust in Harambee Stars
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 30.12.25. | 18:39
His philosophy, deeply influenced by Mourinho, emphasizes pragmatism over flair: a solid defensive foundation, tactical adaptability, and ruthless efficiency in transitions
Benedict Saul 'Benni' McCarthy, born in 1977 in Cape Town, South Africa, emerged as one of the Africa finest strikers during his active years, with his scoring instincts delivering the UEFA Champions League title for Porto in 2004 under José Mourinho.
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That victory not only etched his name in history as the only South African to lift the prestigious trophy, but also profoundly shaped his tactical mindset, instilling a deep appreciation for defensive grit, pragmatism, and a relentless winning mentality.
His playing career saw him serve illustrious clubs like: Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United.
He netted 31 goals for Bafana Bafanfor and remains South Africa's all-time leading scorer.
Retiring in 2013, McCarthy swiftly transitioned into coaching, beginning as an assistant at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, before returning home to lead Cape Town City (2017-2019), where he orchestrated attacking rebuilds and secured a second-place finish in the PSL.
At AmaZulu (2020-2022), he delivered a historic runner-up spot and CAF Champions League qualification, further honing his expertise in striker development.
His pivotal stint came in July 2022 as forwards coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, contributing to the 2023 Carabao Cup victory and FA Cup final appearance while revitalizing players like Marcus Rashford.
Leaving Manchester United in June 2024 amid staff changes, McCarthy sought a return to head coaching.
The opportunity arose amid Football Kenya Federation (FKF) reforms following years of administrative turmoil and the resignation of previous coach Engin Firat.
On March 3, 2025, McCarthy was unveiled as the Harambee Stars head coach on a two-year deal, expressing his ambition to "rewrite Kenya's football story."
Accompanied by assistants Vasili Manousakis, goalkeeper coach Moeneeb Josephs, and performance analyst Pilela Maposa—all fellow South Africans—he immediately set about overhauling the squad, blending experienced players like captain Michael Olunga with emerging local and diaspora young talents.
McCarthy's philosophy, deeply influenced by Mourinho, emphasizes pragmatism over flair: a solid defensive foundation, tactical adaptability, and ruthless efficiency in transitions.
He prioritizes structure, introducing concepts like "rest defense" and "rest attack" to maximize Kenya's athleticism through high pressing, compact shapes, and situational variants out of possession.
In possession, the team favors patient build-up via wide areas, asymmetric overloads, and positional rotations—shifting between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2 formations to create unpredictability.
Defensively, a disciplined mid-block or low block denies central progression, forcing opponents wide while maintaining balance in duels.
Transitions become lethal with pacey outlets stretching defenses, and set-piece organization focuses on man-marking and aerial dominance.
In-game adjustments, such as substituting "destroyers" for physical disruption or shifting to back fives, underscore his tournament realism: clean sheets are paramount, and victory stems from sideline superiority.
Early in his tenure, McCarthy implemented professional camp protocols, contrasting predecessors' inconsistencies, and leaned on data-driven analytics for pressing success.
From the April 2025 squad selections, he integrated youth to foster ambition, shifting Kenya's national identity from chaotic individualism to resilient professionalism.
His structured plans shone in preparations for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August 2025—Kenya's debut appearance.
The CHAN campaign became the pinnacle of McCarthy's early impact.
Drawn into a daunting "Group of Death" alongside powerhouses: Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, the Harambee Stars delivered an unbeaten group stage: three wins and a draw, topping the group with impressive defensive solidity—conceding just one goal while scoring four.
A signature tactical masterclass came in the 1-0 victory over Morocco, where, reduced to 10 men after a red card, the team maintained a compact shape, absorbed pressure intelligently, and struck decisively on counters, with Ryan Ogam netting the winner.
This resilience propelled Kenya to the quarter-finals, their furthest progress in a major tournament, sparking nationwide celebrations and renewed belief in the program's potential.
Yet, McCarthy's tenure has been marked by contrasts. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, ambitious targets of surprising the continent faltered amid setbacks, including heavy defeats that ultimately knocked Kenya out.
A notable low came in the November 18, 2025, international friendly against Senegal, where Harambee Stars suffered an 8-0 thrashing—exposing vulnerabilities against elite opposition and highlighting adaptation needs in high-stakes scenarios.
Across approximately 15 matches managed by late 2025, McCarthy's record stands at six wins, six losses, and three draws, reflecting a mixed but promising rebuild.
Praise for McCarthy's progress has come from peers, including Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma, who, after a match in October 2025, lauded the marked improvement since the South African's arrival:
"Since Benni McCarthy’s arrival, he has been doing a good job. He has been building a solid team."
This blend of South African pragmatism with Kenyan athleticism has redefined Harambee Stars as resilient contenders, punching above their weight through discipline, balance, and transitional ruthlessness.
The culmination of McCarthy's transformative year arrived on December 13, 2025, when President William Ruto awarded him the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) during Jamhuri Day celebrations, honoring his leadership in guiding Kenya to the CHAN quarter-finals.
This prestigious recognition symbolizes renewed hope amid FKF reforms, affirming McCarthy's role as a catalyst for Kenyan football's resurgence.
With eyes now on the co-hosted 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,McCarthy's pragmatic blueprint—rooted in professionalism, tactical clarity, and unyielding ambition—positions the Harambee Stars for continental contention, proving that structured grit can elevate underdogs into a force poised to inspire a nation.
