Benni McCarthy reveals his biggest highlight since joining Harambee Stars
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 05.09.25. | 08:19
The 47-year-old, who admitted to being stopped more on the streets, says players being recognized is one of his big highs
Following numerous highs with Kenya since taking over back in March, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed his biggest highlight so far with the team.
McCarthy, speaking ahead of Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against The Gambia at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, 5 September, said that his biggest highlight managing the team so far has been the competitive identity it has created among Kenyans, coupled with the recognition of his players as a result.
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Using his own experience, McCarthy, no doubt a global star, said his walks around Nairobi have not been the same since leading Harambee Stars to a memorable quarter-final run at last month’s CHAN, which included the giant-slaying of tournament winners Morocco.
“You cannot walk even on the streets without people stopping and congratulating you,” McCarthy said of his past few days. “What this team has brought to the country, you know, the passion, everywhere you go - it is a footballing country now.”
His players getting their flowers, however, is what McCarthy has been more excited about.
“The recognition they are getting is, to me, the most important,” the former Bafana Bafana striker said. “That means that their hard work and success are paying off, and that can only be a blessing to me and the technical bench.”
Not the ending we hoped for, but what a journey it’s been. 💔 #HarambeeStars united a nation and flew our flag high with pride. 🇰🇪 Thank you for making us believe — we will bounce back stronger. 💪 pic.twitter.com/I14xln5rfd
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) August 22, 2025
Apart from the fan adulation, every member of Kenya’s squad at CHAN is now better off financially, following a series of cash incentives from President William Ruto, which no doubt fuelled their journey.
“Moving forward, every player who gets into the national team will have the belief that being there will change his life for good,” McCarthy said.
“That is what we want - creating a team that is competitive, everyone that comes here competes for places, but in a harmonious way that makes us all a family.
"Hopefully the rollercoaster continues - the more the country gets stronger and stronger by the day, the more we are together as a national team, and there will be more success than there has been in the past.
It is my ultimate goal that people will talk about this generation of players for the next 100 years.”
