2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Benni McCarthy Impressed by Harambee Stars’ Talent

Benni McCarthy, the head coach of the Kenya national team, has expressed his astonishment at the high calibre of players in his inaugural Harambee Stars provisional squad. He remains committed to his vision of establishing a team that the nation can take pride in.

On Tuesday, March 11th, the 47-year-old South African unveiled a squad that combines experienced campaigners with promising young prospects, as the team commenced preparations for two crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Gambia and Gabon.

McCarthy stepped into the role after Engin Firat’s departure and observed the players during their first training session on Wednesday, March 12th. Notably, players from Gor Mahia and Tusker were absent, as they were granted leave to prepare for their FKF Premier League matches scheduled for the following weekend.

McCarthy Impressed by Quality of Harambee Stars

After the demanding training session, McCarthy could hardly contain his excitement, admitting that the level of talent displayed was remarkable. He suggested that this would significantly aid Kenya’s aspirations to become a formidable force in football.

“It was encouraging, and I felt they performed admirably for their first training session. They adjusted well to my expectations, which was pleasing to witness. The quality within the squad genuinely surprised me, but it’s certainly a positive for both the team and the country,” he commented.

“This session was crucial for me to assess the players, as I haven’t had the chance to observe many matches. So far, I’ve only attended one match since my arrival, which limited my understanding of the squad and its dynamics.”

“I had to rely on insights from coach Francis (Kimanzi) and others who have been involved with the team to gather information about certain players. Additionally, I utilised video analysis to better understand their play styles,” McCarthy added.

McCarthy, who recently contributed to Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United, elaborated on the significance of the initial training session in his strategy to elevate Kenyan football.

“The circumstances weren’t ideal due to the limited time since my appointment, but I wanted to assess additional players on a personal level. I’m pleased I did this, as I might have overlooked some hidden gems,” McCarthy reflected.

“On the first day, people were naturally nervous. They didn’t know each other, and I was unfamiliar with them as well, but overall, it went well.”

“I anticipate having about 17 to 18 players available due to Gor Mahia and Tusker’s requests for player exemptions because of their important league fixtures on Friday and Saturday,” he continued.

Gambia and Gabon: The Primary Goals

McCarthy’s primary focus lies in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.

The former Porto player will mark his debut as the coach of Harambee Stars against Gambia’s Scorpions on Thursday, March 20th, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast before returning home to face Gabon’s Panthers on Sunday, March 23rd at Nyayo Stadium.

“We will work diligently to prepare the team so they can wear the Kenyan jersey with pride when they step onto the pitch. Our aim is to cultivate a hardworking team that plays good football, but, above all, we want to create a squad that aspires to win,” explained McCarthy.

“The Gambia match on March 20th is our top priority for World Cup qualification. We aim to prepare thoroughly and represent the Kenyan nation with pride. From there, we can build momentum into the Gabon match and work towards fulfilling our ultimate goal of progressing in the qualifiers,” McCarthy stated.

He elaborated: “It will require hard work, but the sheer talent and quality within the team is undeniable. It’s only a matter of time before we get everything right and the team can make everyone proud to support them as Kenyans. That’s our aspiration for both myself and my coaching staff.”

“We want to create a football team that instils great pride among its supporters.”

Under Firat’s management, Kenya began their qualification campaign with a 2-1 loss to Gabon, a commanding 5-0 win over Seychelles, a 1-1 draw with Burundi, and another 1-1 draw against the reigning African champions.

Currently, Harambee Stars sit fourth in the six-team Group F with five points, five points adrift of leaders Ivory Coast. Gabon occupy second place with nine points, Burundi sit third with seven, Gambia lie fifth with three points, while Seychelles languish at the bottom with no points.