4 daunting tasks awaiting Benni McCarthy at Harambee Stars
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 03.03.25. | 07:44
Although McCarthy’s appointment was confirmed before Christmas in 2024, the official unveiling had been delayed
Benedict Saul McCarthy, widely known as Benni McCarthy, will be officially unveiled as the Harambee Stars head coach on Monday, 3 February, at 2 PM at a Nairobi hotel, two months after his appointment.
The former South Africa international arrives at a difficult time for the Kenyan national football team, which is grappling with several challenges both on and off the pitch.
McCarthy replaces Engin Firat, who resigned in December after citing non-payment of his salary. Firat has since threatened legal action against FKF over millions of unpaid dues.
Although McCarthy’s appointment was confirmed before Christmas in 2024, the official unveiling had been delayed until now, with the original event planned for last Friday.
Benni McCarthy, a UEFA Champions League winner, takes over at a time when the Harambee Stars are struggling.
The team failed to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco and is currently fourth in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, presenting a monumental challenge to secure a place at the tournament set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Additionally, Kenya would have missed out on the CHAN tournament after being eliminated in the first round of qualifiers by South Sudan, but they secured a spot by virtue of being co-hosts.
McCarthy’s appointment makes him only the third African coach from outside Kenya to manage Harambee Stars, following in the footsteps of Nigeria’s Christian Chukwu and Algerian-Belgian Adel Amrouche.
Beyond the broader structural issues plaguing Kenyan football, McCarthy faces immediate on-field challenges with the national team.
Goalkeeping conundrum
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One of the biggest problems is the goalkeeping situation. Bryne Omondi is currently the only goalkeeper of note in the team, and former international Boniface Oluoch has publicly acknowledged the country's goalkeeping crisis.
McCarthy will need to find a solution, whether by promoting young talents or scouting Kenyan-eligible goalkeepers from abroad.
Heavy Olunga reliance
There is also the issue of over-reliance on captain Michael Olunga, who plays in Qatar for goals. When Olunga is unavailable, the team's attack falters, creating a 'mini-crisis' in finding the net.
McCarthy will need to spread the goalscoring burden across the squad to ensure that the team does not crumble in Olunga’s absence.
Ageing Akumu
In midfield, McCarthy faces the impending retirement of long-serving defensive midfielder Teddy Akumu, who has been a vital player for the team for over a decade.
While Akumu remains one of the Stars' best performers, he has admitted that he is nearing the end of his career. Fortunately for McCarthy, Kenya has depth in this position, with players like Chris Erambo, Biron Otieno, Musa Oundo, and others waiting in the wings.
Inadequte wingers
The absence of natural wingers in the national team is another area of concern. Currently, players such as right-back Rooney Onyango and midfielders Timothy Ouma and Duke Abuya are being deployed in wide positions, but they are not natural wingers.
McCarthy will need to address this issue by identifying or developing wingers, although the pool of available talent in this position is limited.
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