'He Is Really Transforming The Team' - Benni McCarthy’ Praised For Youthful Vision & Breathing New Life Into Kenyan Football

Harambe Stars coach Benni McCarthy has previously been linked with the Bafana Bafana coaching role.

'He Is Really Transforming The Team' - Benni McCarthy’ Praised For Youthful Vision & Breathing New Life Into Kenyan Football

Evans Ousuru 13:45 - 03.05.2025

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been lavished with praise or the instantenous impact he has had on the national U-20 team.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been praised for the impact he has already had on the U-20 team in his shortest stint so far in Kenyan football.

The Kenya U-20 team alias Rising Stars is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where they went down fighting in their opening match against Morocco, Losing 3-2 on May 1.

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The South African has taken a keen interest in the Rising Stars, even attending their training sessions prior to their departure for the biennial championships.

The former Manchester United assistant coach's actions have attracted words of praise fromcoach Salim Babu, who described how McCarthy has transformed the team, even as he tries to integrate young players into the Harambee Stars set up.

"He's really transforming the team, as you can see, he already took two of our guys to the senior team.McCarthy is really transforming the national set-up because he really believes in working with the youth. That is very good for the nation, and for this project that we are having here," Babu told  SABC Sport.

McCarthy who is regarded as South Africa's all time best player, has his work cut out considering that he is expected to mold a competitive team for the 2027 AFCON that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Babu maintained that McCarthy is the right man for the Kenyan project, tipping more youngsters to join senior ranks.

"When McCarthy signed, I believe that he's focusing on the 2027 AFCON, and I believe, with him at the helm, most of the young players will be there," expressed Babu.

Despite starting the tournament with a 3-2 loss against Group B favourites Morocco, Kenya stole some attention with their impressive display.  

Babu targets reaching the semifinals of the competition in order to qualify for the under-20 World Cup. Babu’s team will fancy their chances of bouncing back against Tunisia and Nigeria in their final two matches in Group B.

He feels that they need to tighten up their defence to be in a position to win a game in this tournament.