Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) official Noordine Koor Taib has identified critical areas for new Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy to concentrate on, aiming to secure favourable outcomes in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Gambia and Gabon.
McCarthy, who was appointed just eight days ago to fill the void left by the departing Turkish coach Engin Firat, will commence his tenure with Harambee Stars facing the Gambia Scorpions on Thursday, March 20th, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast. Following that, they will return to Nairobi to confront the Gabon Panthers on Sunday, March 23rd, at Nyayo Stadium.
Currently, Harambee Stars sit fourth in the six-team Group F, having amassed five points—five behind group leaders Ivory Coast. Kenya began their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Gabon, followed by a 5-0 victory over Seychelles. They then played to a 1-1 draw with both Burundi and the reigning African champions.
McCarthy Needs to Nail His Starting XI
In the lead-up to matchdays five and six, Taib has emphasised the importance of selecting the right players for each fixture. He believes that with savvy line-ups, McCarthy, who recently served on Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United, can kick-start his reign positively.
“This is an area where McCarthy must assert his authority, demonstrate his true capabilities, and ensure it doesn’t become a recurring issue—not just in World Cup qualifiers or AFCON qualifiers, but in any future tournaments under his leadership,” Taib stated.
He added, “We possess the calibre in our national squad to challenge any team in Africa. The challenge lies in how to optimise that quality, which has been the downfall of previous coaches. We can’t afford to have players out of position, as seen in our last match against Namibia (in AFCON qualifiers) where we had two players misplaced.”
“Results will not come that way. To yield positive outcomes, a coach must maintain a core group and ensure every player is in their appropriate position. We also need to maintain depth across every spot, avoiding constant squad changes.”
“For instance, the team facing Gambia should start against Gabon if they come through unscathed. This consistency is crucial for fostering team cohesion and stability, which are vital for any national side.”
Taib also highlighted Nigeria’s Super Eagles, saying their inconsistent performances in the World Cup qualifiers could be attributed to the absence of a settled squad.
“Look at Nigeria; they are struggling in their qualifiers. I lay the blame on the coaches’ reluctance to trust a consistent team. We can’t keep rotating players in camp for every match; the bench should support the first-choice players once they’ve delivered,” he argued.
“Nigeria has talented players, but I believe the challenge lies in how the coaches utilise them.”
The Super Eagles currently languish in fifth place in Group C with just three points from four matches, while Rwanda leads with seven points, closely followed by South Africa and Benin, while Lesotho sits ahead of Nigeria with five points.
Emphasis on Strengthening the Defence
To date in the qualifiers, Kenya has conceded three goals—two against Gabon and one during the draw with Burundi. However, Taib stresses the significance of a robust defence, which would encourage strikers to advance and find the net.
“McCarthy must insist on a solid defensive line; there’s no doubt about it. We shouldn’t concede easily or be the first to concede, so having a strong defence is essential. I would prefer to see Joseph Okumu leading alongside Johnstone Omurwa,” Taib explained.
“Establishing a firm defence is key, and the midfielders must also pull their weight. We cannot allow our rivals to dominate; we’ve faced struggles recently due to midfielders losing possession, and I hope McCarthy can address this.”
“Finally, we’ve encountered issues within our goalkeeping unit, which has led to conceding preventable goals. For example, we suffered a 4-1 defeat to Cameroon in an AFCON qualifier due to poor goalkeeping, and I sincerely hope McCarthy can rectify these errors once and for all.”
With Collective Support, McCarthy Can Elevate Kenyan Football
Taib noted that the decision to appoint McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals from 79 appearances between 1997 and 2012, was prudent as he has the potential to uplift Kenyan football.
“Bringing McCarthy on board was a brilliant decision; he is among the few coaches who truly understands African football. He has won trophies both as a player and coach, making it a sound choice by FKF to appoint him,” Taib commented.
“For him to thrive, however, we must unite to offer our support. We need to ensure he has the resources necessary to perform his role effectively. The FKF must also refrain from meddling in his work, granting him the autonomy to execute his plans.”
After contests against Gambia and Gabon, Kenya—who have yet to qualify for a World Cup—will have four remaining qualifying matches in the group, facing Gambia and Seychelles at home before travelling to Burundi and concluding their preliminary games against Ivory Coast.
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