Gabon head coach praises Benni McCarthy for Harambee Stars' progress
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 11.10.25. | 20:10
Speaking after leading his side to a highly charged 4-3 victory over The Gambia, Mouyouma took time to heap praise on McCarthy
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has received plaudits from his Gabon counterpart Thierry Mouyouma after the marked improvement by Kenya since the South African's arrival.
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McCarthy took over the Harambee Stars reins in March and has since spearheaded improvements in the national team, including a quarter-final finish in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after topping their 'Group of Death'.
Additionally, Harambee Stars have recorded impressive performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including an away victory over Burundi in their last match played on Thursday, 9 October.
Speaking after leading his side to a highly charged 4-3 victory over The Gambia in a match played on Friday, 10 October at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Mouyouma took time to heap praise on McCarthy.
“I believe in Kenya. Since Benni McCarthy’s arrival, he has been doing a good job. He has been building a solid team that is targeting the next qualification,” said the 50-year-old.
Mouyouma’s Gabon are second in Group F with 22 points, one shy of group leaders Ivory Coast, who thrashed Seychelles 7-0 on Friday and with one match to go, they will be banking on Kenya to stop Ivory Coast even as they aim to upset Burundi if they are to qualify for the World Cup.
Mouyouma elucidated why he believes Harambee Stars have what it takes to cause a heartbreak to the Ivory Coast.
“Kenya, about six months ago, had a problem with a goalkeeper, and when you come from that situation, you cannot let the team down. We hope they will do their best, and they will need confidence to bring them (the Ivory Coast) down.
We are going to support Kenya; We have played here twice, and it has always been a great time where we have received much love from Kenyans,” he added.
The former Gabon defender also revealed why he backed Harambee Stars in their 3-1 defeat to The Gambia in September.
“I wanted Kenya to beat Gambia because if they had done that, they could have finished in second or third place, but unfortunately, it did not happen,” he stated.
