South African legend Benni McCarthy has revealed why he accepted the offer to coach the Kenya national team, the Harambee Stars.
McCarthy was unveiled on Monday, March 3, on a two-year deal and will be assisted by Vasili Manousakis, Moeneeb Josephs as goalkeeper’s coach, and Pilela Maposa as performance analyst.
Speaking after his unveiling, the former Orlando Pirates striker says the transparency from the Football Kenya Federation [FKF] also played a part in him joining the Harambee Stars.
“Transparency. They are a new regime that is very honest and open. In Africa, as a South African, I had dealt with the South African national team and played in South Africa. It has always been Africa’s biggest challenge where there is no transparency,” said McCarthy.
“I think the president [Hussein Mohammed] and the deputy [Doris Petra] assured me that it’s not going to be roses because it’s not. That I accept and I want to also help them. I want to make the football team the best that Africa has ever seen. If we can fix the football team, the football Federation will also prosper.”
“It’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure for me to be here in Kenya. I am delighted, and I really can’t wait to start our new journey. Making Kenya one of the powerhouses in African football,” McCarthy added.
“The potential that this Kenyan national team has, and you look at how well other national teams are doing with half the talent that is here in Kenya. With the right leaders in charge, the right coaches, the right mentality and the right work ethic, we can get this team to greater heights.”
The Bafana Bafana legend has previously coached Amazulu and Cape Town City in his native South Africa, taking the former to the group stages of the CAF Champions League for the first time ever.
As a player, McCarthy was a decorated striker and was the joint top scorer at the 1998 AFCON.
At club level, he won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto and also had a fabled career with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham in England before finishing his playing career at home with Orlando Pirates in 2013.
