Benni McCarthy’s Former Boss Explains Why Kenya is Lucky to Have Harambee Stars Coach

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has received huge backing from a South African football administrator who knows him too well, having worked with him as a player.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy continues to be backed as the best possible candidate to revive the fortunes of Kenyan football.

McCarthy has been in charge of the Kenyan national team since March 2025 with his highlight being Harambee Stars’ run to the quarter-final of the 2024 African Nations Championships.

There has been an improvement in Kenya’s display while he has also instilled professionalism and discipline in his team and South African football administrator Senzo Mbatha says Kenyans have not seen the best of McCarthy yet.

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Mbatha, who has vast experience in African football and has also served as CEO of Tanzania giants Yanga and Simba SC as well as the Botswana Premier League, says McCarthy’s knowledge and standing in the game puts him in good stead to succeed in Kenya.

“Benni is a big figure in African football, he is a well-respected coach in his own right. He has taken AmaZulu to the CAF Champions League,” Mbatha said on Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday.

Benni’s ‘Thick Skin’ Will Serve Him Well in Kenya

“He has done well in South Africa and played for one of the biggest clubs in South Africa, Orlando Pirates. Benni was my player, I managed Benni when I was working at Orlando Pirates and I won the treble with Benni McCarthy, so I know the character in him,” added Mbatha, who served as administrative manager at Orlando Pirates between 2021 and 2013 when McCarthy played for the club.

Mbatha also believes McCarthy’s career, which has taken him to the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and England will allow him to navigate the challenges of the job and he will just need his players to follow his philosophy to bring success.

“He is someone that works hard, he is someone that demands from his players and I think the type of players we have in that region, it would be important for players to adapt very quickly and also to provide the necessary support that Benni needs,” he added.

“I think he will succeed in that space, he has a very thick skin, knowing Kenya and East Africa with the media it can be very tough but Benni played in England where the media was rough on him but he has managed to do well.”

McCarthy’s South African Assistants Earn High Praise

McCarthy’s technical bench is also made up of his trusted lieutenants in South Africans Vasili Manousakis (assistant) and Moeneeb Josephs (goalkeeper trainer) who Mbatha says were the right picks as they bring much more than technical knowhow.

“We should not forget that he is also coached at the highest level in the EPL so you guys are very fortunate to have that type of coach in your midst and even his technical team,” said Mbatha.

“His assistant coach, Moeneeb [Josephs] as goalkeeper coach I know the character in the people and I think that with patience and continuous support and ensuring that he is allowed to prepare his team, you will see the changes in Harambee Stars.”

McCarthy has taken charge of 11 games with Kenya, winning five, drawing four and losing two with his next assignment being 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Burundi in October.