Benni McCarthy: CAF president Patrice Motsepe ramps up pressure on Harambee Stars coach

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has weighed in on the appointment of South African legend Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars coach.

McCarthy was unveiled a week ago as Kenya national team coach and has already named his first provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon next week.

Motsepe, who is also South African, is happy that his countryman has secured a big job but has a message for him.

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Speaking with Football Kenya Federation vice president McDonald Mariga in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, ahead of the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly set to take place on Wednesday, Motsepe was emphatic in his message.

"Benni is your coach? He is very lucky. I will only be happy when I see results. Tell him, I need results now," Motsepe told Mariga, who was accompanied by CECAFA secretary general Auka Gacheo, in a video obtained by Pulse Sports.

The message from the CAF boss will only ramp up pressure on McCarthy, whose appointment has seen expectations rise not just from Kenyans, South Africans but Africa as whole, given his stature as one of the continent’s greats.

McCarthy’s immediate focus is winning against The Gambia on March 20 and Gabon three days later which will go a long way in appeasing fans as Kenya look to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

The former Cape Town City, AmaZulu and Manchester United first-team coach has promised to do everything within his powers to help Kenya qualify for the 2026 World Cup set to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.