‘No More Athletics’ - Benni McCarthy Makes Bold Prediction About Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is determined to ensure Kenya becomes known for its football prowess during his time in charge.

McCarthy admits the country’s rich athletics history has made it a global powerhouse in the sport but feels there is enough to make football also dominant given what he witnessed during the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament.

“I was quite fearful because of the group that we were in,” McCarthy told Sporty TV in an interview regarding Kenya’s CHAN 2024 group that had Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia.

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“It was dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ because it had three-time champions Morocco, the best team in the tournament, and then you had DR Congo, which also won CHAN tournament twice before, and then you had Angola who had won the COSAFA Cup just three or four months prior to that. And then it was us and Zambia who were fighting for last place.”

“Our squad we developed a really family environment, a good camaraderie and we had a lot of fun outside the pitch and when it was time to play, the players enjoyed playing under me and the way I gave them freedom to express and go out there,” McCarthy further said.

“We just had so much fun and when it came to the last game of the group, we found ourselves in no.1 place. I think everyone was very surprised that we were no.1 but the football that we played, we were not surprised. We deserved to be there because we were by far the better team in the group.”

The South African tactician says he had to find a way to motivate his players to perform as they went on to beat DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia 1-0 on all three occasions and drew 1-1 with Angola to top the group against all odds before exiting at the quarter-final following a post-match penalty loss to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

“It was the first time that many of those players experienced playing in front of such huge numbers and it was nerve-wracking and for me to bring calmness to the team and to tell the players not to be fazed by what they see, but it is impossible, because none of them had been in that situation,” he added.

“For me, it was easy to say we must enjoy the moment because in life, this does not happen [often]. Not many people get to perform and entertain at this stage and in your life so make the most of this moment. I tried to make the players feel that it was normal and to enjoy the moment.”

Having witnessed the talent at his disposal and the love from fans, McCarthy feels this combination can make Kenya a great footballing country in the near future.

“Kenya now is a footballing country; it is no more athletics,” said the former Manchester United first-team coach. “I know they have some big legends in athletics but Kenya will be known for football and not for athletics,” he declared.