Former Manchester United first-team coach, Benni McCarthy, has emerged as the frontrunner for the Harambee Stars coaching position, but his potential appointment has encountered resistance from some quarters in Kenya.
While many current and former players and coaches have expressed support for the South African legend, others advocate for a local coach to lead the national team.
McCarthy’s appointment, initially expected in January, has been delayed due to internal issues within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The Hussein Mohammed-led federation is reportedly prioritizing internal restructuring before finalizing the appointment. Despite the delay, McCarthy remains the leading candidate.
The debate surrounding McCarthy’s potential appointment highlights differing opinions within the Kenyan football community.
Proponents believe his experience at the highest levels of the game, including his time at Manchester United, would bring valuable expertise and elevate the Harambee Stars.
However, those opposed argue that a Kenyan coach, familiar with the local football landscape and players, would be a more suitable choice.
Veteran school football coach, Peter Mayoyo, is among those advocating for a local appointment.
He expressed concerns about the extended delay in appointing a coach, emphasizing the importance of timely preparations for crucial upcoming tournaments.
“It is very important to have a coach in place because we need proper preparations for the World Cup qualifiers and CHAN,” Mayoyo told Citizen Digital.
He believes Kenya possesses capable coaches who understand the local league, making a foreign appointment unnecessary, particularly with the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on the horizon.
Kenya faces two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March, against The Gambia away and Gabon at home.
The FKF faces pressure to finalize the coaching appointment before these matches.
Additionally, Kenya will co-host the 2024 CHAN alongside Uganda and Tanzania in August, further underscoring the need for a settled coaching setup.
Harambee Stars have been drawn into a challenging Group A alongside Morocco, Zambia, DR Congo, and Angola, requiring thorough preparation to progress.
Currently, Francis Kimanzi is serving as the interim coach for the Harambee Stars. It remains unclear whether he will continue in this role until the World Cup qualifiers next month.
