Benni McCarthy: Why Harambee Stars Believe Again After Stunning CHAN 2024 Run

Harambee Stars manager Benni McCarthy may be the individual Kenyans have been holding out for to infuse their football fortunes with life.

The 47-year-old South African football great, who signed a two-year deal with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in March, has already won over fans and players.

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Since taking the reins in 170 days, McCarthy has overseen eight games, winning four, losing two and drawing three.

But it is Kenya's miraculous display in the so-called "group of death" at the 2024 African Nations Championships that has put him in the spotlight.

Harambee Stars topped Group 'A' unbeaten, defeating continental giants Morocco and DR Congo and holding Angola to a gritty 1-1.

"I have scanned this county's talent, and I believe that there is immense potential to compete at the highest level," McCarthy said on March 3 as he debuted as reported by Nation.

Half a year later, his prophecy is already taking shape.

The most remarkable aspect of Kenya's group-stage journey was how adversity was conquered when it was reduced to 10 men.

Against Morocco and Angola, Harambee Stars played for more than an hour a man down but refused to collapse. McCarthy attributed that with discipline for having learned playing under Portuguese master tactician Jose Mourinho while at Porto.

"Whether you remember I had a specific coach, Jose Mourinho. He was a master at that, and so a player in a team playing 10 men was purgatory, but we would get around it to perfection like it was our routine," McCarthy told reporters after the win over Morocco.

Earlier in the match against Angola, midfielder Marvine Nabwire's red card forced Kenya to make changes early. Once again, however, the team showed maturity, defending deep and counter-attacking.

McCarthy's tactical bravery has also been important. None greater than his gamble against Morocco, where he left key players like captain Abud Omar and star Austine Odhiambo on the bench.

They were replaced by fresh faces like Ryan Ogam and Siraj Mohamed, the former scoring the decisive goal.

"I select players according to merit. If you want to start the game, impress me in training," McCarthy announced before the match against Angola.

Aside from tactics, McCarthy has built close personal relationships with his players.

Kenya Police centre-back Daniel Sakari explained the admiration of the team in this way: "I call him baba (father). with him at the front, we have that belief that you can come from Africa and go play there in Europe and perform at your best.".

Teenager Sulieman Mansur, however, admitted he does his utmost not to disappoint the coach, while forward Ryan Ogam was grateful for the trust to return from a lengthy layoff.

"I thank the coach for inviting me here. It was a challenging season for me, a process of learning because even in the injury, the attitude was to heal and feature in the Chan," Ogam said to GBC after scoring against Zambia.

With Kenya's undefeated run securing a home quarter-final against Madagascar on Friday, there is fever pitch excitement. The Stars, having defeated Zambia 1-0 with the 75th-minute strike from Ogam, are brimming with confidence.

Whether such a fairy-tale run continues remains to be seen, but this much is clear: Harambee Stars have rediscovered their roar again under the tutelage of Benni McCarthy, and Kenyans dream once more.