Benni McCarthy Hits Out at Former Harambee Stars Coaches - ‘I Was Really Surprised’

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy believes his predecessors did not do a great job during their time in charge of the Kenyan national team.

McCarthy, who became Harambee Stars boss in March this year, has experienced mixed fortunes during his time in charge but he feels there has been remarkable progress in his nine-month stay compared to what was witnessed before.

The South African tactician says Kenya could be a major football force in the region by now if those who managed the team before properly harnessed the talent available in he country, something he is determined to achieve.

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“I was really surprised by the amount of talent, lots of talented young players. Good ability and quality and what stood out was their willingness to learn,” McCarthy said on Sporty TV.

“I could not understand how coaches that were coaching Kenya before did not exploit the talent that there was and for me, it was pretty easy just to try and manage them and give them a little bit of freedom to express themselves and become better.”

Part of the former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach’s strategy is to give his players simple instructions while allowing them to be themselves so that he does not stifle them.

He believes this is the best way to unleash the full potential in a player as a complex approach would only stunt their growth.

“They excelled by being given the opportunity by me to be free to play with limited instructions and I am absolutely so glad that I took the opportunity to manage Kenya because it has been better fresh air,” he added.

“It is a country that in the near future, they will make so many big steps forward and to become one of the powerhouses in East African football.”

McCarthy’s reign has seen Kenya play 15 matches, winning six, drawing three and losing six. In competitive matches, the tactician has five wins, two draws and four losses in 11 matches.

The former Manchester United attacking coach has a contract until 2027, when he is expected to lead Harambee Stars to that year’s Africa Cup of Nations, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.