Benni McCarthy Named New Harambee Stars Coach

South African football legend Benni McCarthy takes the reins as the new coach of Harambee Stars, tasked with leading Kenya to success.

Benni McCarthy, a former coach at Manchester United, has agreed to become the new head coach of Kenya's national football team, the Harambee Stars. McCarthy, 46, will take the reins of the team, bringing his wealth of experience to the role.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had been searching for a permanent replacement for former coach Engin Firat, who recently departed the team. In the interim, Francis Kimanzi was appointed to lead the Harambee Stars on a temporary basis. However, with McCarthy's appointment, the FKF has found its new permanent head coach.

Francis Kimanzi was appointed as the interim coach of the Harambee Stars, assisted by Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno and John Kamau. His primary task was to prepare the team for the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Zanzibar, scheduled to take place from January 3rd.

According to a reliable source within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Benni McCarthy has accepted the offer to become the new head coach of the Harambee Stars. McCarthy, a former South African international with 79 appearances and 31 goals, will arrive in Kenya with one assistant ahead of the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania. The source confirmed that McCarthy's unveiling ceremony will take place before January 10th.

“The next Harambee Stars coach is going to be Benni McCarthy, unless anything changes. FKF and his agent are already working on the contract and it should be finalised soon because the target is to unveil him, latest January 10, 2025,” the FKF source, who did not want to be named, said.

“He (McCarthy) has already accepted the offer on the table and he will be allowed to come in with one assistant, while Kenya will give him one assistant to work with. It is obvious that Kimanzi was handed the role on an interim basis, so he will pave the way for McCarthy to take charge.

“What I understand is that McCarthy will be paid around Ks2.2 million, and all negotiations are already complete, only the contract is being sorted out before he arrives to replace Engin Firat in a permanent role.”

Benni McCarthy's coaching career has included a recent stint as a first-team coach at Manchester United, as well as a head coaching position at AmaZulu in the South African Premier Division. Prior to his coaching career, McCarthy had a distinguished playing career as a forward.

McCarthy's playing achievements are impressive, as he remains the all-time top scorer for the South Africa national team. He also made history by becoming the only South African player to win the UEFA Champions League, achieving this feat with Porto in the 2003-04 season. In addition to his playing career, McCarthy has managed several teams, including Hibernian, Sint-Truiden, and Cape Town City.

McCarthy's journey in football began at a local level, playing for Young Pirates, a team managed by his uncles. He then joined the youth structures of Crusaders, a local amateur club. At just 17 years old, McCarthy's talent earned him a contract with first-division club Seven Stars, marking the start of his professional playing career.

Former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi has broken his silence after being appointed as the new goalkeeper coach for the national team. Origi's appointment was part of the recent changes made to the Harambee Stars' technical bench.

Origi, who earned 48 caps for the national team, takes over the goalkeeping role from Jerim Onyango. In his first comments since the appointment, Origi shared his thoughts on returning to the Harambee Stars, his transition into coaching, and his impressions of the players currently in camp. Origi, who had a professional playing career in Norway, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

“Being back with the national team is a great feeling – it’s always an honour,” Origi said. “I’ve had the privilege of representing Harambee Stars as a player, and now I’m here as a goalkeeper trainer. It’s a different role, but one I’ve grown to love.

“My move into coaching wasn’t planned. My role model was Gianluigi Buffon, who played well into his 40s, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. But after my last contract at FC Hord in Norway, finding a good offer became really tough.

“As you get older, it’s just how the game works. Luckily, I had completed my UEFA coaching badges for goalkeepers, and when I got the chance to train keepers at Ostersund, I realised it was something I truly enjoyed. That’s where my coaching journey started.”

Arnold Origi has expressed his admiration for Francis Kimanzi, the interim coach of the Harambee Stars. Having worked with Kimanzi during his playing days, Origi holds him in high regard. “Coach Francis Kimanzi is someone I respect a lot. I worked with him as a player, and I've always admired his approach to the game. He's demanding, but that's what this team needs to progress. It feels great to work with him again in a different capacity.”

Origi has also shared his initial impressions of the goalkeepers under his charge. The group includes Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), and Morgan Ambuka (Murang'a Seal). Origi is optimistic about their potential, stating, “These keepers are good, and I see them as more than just players – they're like younger brothers and friends to me. They've got potential, but there's always room for improvement, and that's my job here.”

Looking ahead to the Mapinduzi Cup, Origi emphasized the importance of building a strong team for the CHAN tournament. While winning the Mapinduzi Cup would be a welcome achievement, Origi's focus is on the bigger picture. “Winning the Mapinduzi Cup would be fantastic, but the bigger picture is building a solid team for CHAN. Playing on home soil brings extra pressure, and we have to get it right,” he noted.

Arnold Origi has expressed his excitement about the potential of Kenyan football, citing the recent success of the U17 girls' team as a prime example. “The country loves football and is hungry for success. We saw it with the U17 girls qualifying for the World Cup – it shows what's possible with the right support,” he said, highlighting the importance of backing from fans and stakeholders.

As the Harambee Stars prepare for the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, Origi is hopeful that Kenyans will continue to rally behind the team. The tournament is scheduled to take place from January 3rd to 13th, 2025. Origi emphasized the need for ongoing support, saying, “I hope Kenyans will keep supporting us as we work towards building something special.”