TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Know the Coach: Benni McCarthy (Kenya)
The former Bafana Bafana star was officially unveiled as the Harambee Stars head coach in March, and has already been in charge in two competitive matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as well as back to back friendly matches against Chad.
These four matches have shown McCarthy's attractive brand of attacking football and a massive positive swing in Kenya's playing style.
Most recently an attack coach with English Premier League giants Manchester United, the UEFA Champions League winner is on his maiden job with a national team. He will be out to show that the experience he picked in one of the most competitive leagues in the world will count.
He has been focused on following local league matches, to build a strong and formidable team that will compete for honours on home soil.
Name: Benni McCarthy
Nationality: South African
Age: 47 years
Current Team: Kenya
Tenure: 2025 Career Highlights
McCarthy is taking on his first national team job, having only worked at club level in his young coaching career. Before joining Manchester United, where he worked under Eric ten Hag, McCarthy worked with South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu FC. He had also had stints with Hibernian FC (Scotland) and Belgian side Saint Truiden, both working as an assistant.
While with Cape Town in 2018, he led them to the MTN 8 title.
He earned more success when he moved to AmaZulu in the 2020-21 season, leading them to their highest ever placing in the South African top flight, a second place finish. They went on to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League where they made more history, qualifying to the group stages in their maiden attempt. Coaching Style
McCarthy, being a former striker himself, favours an attacking style of play, often employing formations like 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 to maximize offensive potential. This approach is expected to challenge opponents at CHAN 2024 while reflecting his commitment to creating an exciting brand of football. CHAN Experience
As Kenya is participating in the CHAN tournament for the first time, this will also mark McCarthy's debut in the competition. His role will be pivotal as the Harambee Stars aim to establish themselves among the continent's elite. Impact on the Team
Despite only picking one win in four matches in charge, McCarthy has already shown a rebirth in how the team plays, and his insistence on giving players a chance based on merit. He has also shown great affection for his players, bridging what was an otherwise big gap between the playing unit and the technical bench.
McCarthy has repeatedly said that he will build a team that will not just participate at the CHAN 2024, but compete as well. Fun Fact
McCarthy has been vocal on giving young and local players a chance, saying as long as they have shown what they can do, they should be offered a chance. He has been to several Premier League matches and the last two international friendly matches against Chad have seen several local players handed debuts. Conclusion
With Benni McCarthy at the helm, Kenya heads into CHAN 2024 with optimism and a determination to make their mark. His vision for the Harambee Stars is rooted in fostering local talent and ensuring that the team competes with pride on the continental stage.
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