Harambee Stars Boost as Benni McCarthy is Overlooked for Dream Job

Harambee Stars fans worried over the possible early departure of head coach Benni McCarthy can rest easy.

McCarthy is among names that have been linked with the South Africa national team jobs in recent days after the South African Football Association (SAFA) started shortlisting candidates to succeed veteran Belgian Hugo Broos.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane is seen as the frontrunner for the Bafana Bafana job but McCarthy, alongside Rulani Mokwena, have also been touted as possible candidates.

However, according to South African outlet SoccerBeat, McCarthy is not under consideration for the position and SAFA is yet to contact him or his camp over the soon-to-be vacant position.

SAFA has instead shortlisted other names although many expect Mosimane to win the race after receiving the heavy backing of South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie last week.

McCarthy’s name has been linked to a number of jobs in South Africa, among them his ex-club Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, and he also admitted early in the year that it would be a dream to coach the latter.

However, Pirates looked elsewhere, bringing in Moroccan Abdeslam Ouaddou last year and he guided them to a first league title in 14 years in May, while Chiefs have just appointed Frenchman Fernando da Cruz.

With the Bafana door also now appearing to be closed, McCarthy looks set to fully focus on his assignment with Kenya as he looks to led Harambee Stars to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after which he is widely expected to leave.