Harambee Stars players told what they must have to play for Benni McCarthy

Harambee Stars.

Harambee Stars players told what they must have to play for Benni McCarthy

Joel Omotto 14:49 - 09.03.2025

Harambee Stars players will need a certain skill set to play for new coach Benni McCarthy, according to a Kenyan tactician who has played against him previously.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has never hidden his love for an attacking brand of football.

The former Cape Town City, AmaZulu head coach, who worked for two years as Manchester United’s attacking coach, is wedded to an attractive style that gets results while also entertaining fans.

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That is what the 47-year-old promised when he was unveiled as the next Harambee Stars coach on Monday and former Bandari and KCB coach Bernard Mwalala says it is what Kenyans should expect.

Mwalala knows McCarthy’s tactics first-hand, having played against him when he was in charge of South African club Cape Town City in 2019.

Mwalala, then coaching Bandari, secured a 2-2 draw against Cape Town City in friendly match during their tour of South Africa and he was left impressed by the Bafana Bafana legend’s approach which he feels will make him succeed in Kenya but the players will have to align to his tactics to get into the team.

"I remember when I came up against him during my time at Bandari, he set up his team to play attacking football throughout,” Mwalala told Mozzart Sport.

“We have also seen him stick to the philosophy in the teams he has managed in South Africa. His players are always comfortable with the ball and play attractive football,” he added, regarding the skill set the players will need to have to get into the team.

Having been a lethal striker himself, playing in South Africa as well as in Europe with the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers, Mwalala feels that experience also puts the Bafana Bafana legend in good stead to succeed in his new role.

"He is the right man for the job. We have secured the services of a man who has played the game and coached at the top level. I have no doubt in my mind that he will improve our fortunes," he added.

McCarthy’s first match will be an away tie against the Gambia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 20 before his team hosts Gabon in Nairobi three days later.

South-African based defender Brian Onyango Mandela has already received a call-up for the two matches and fans will be waiting to see who else joins when McCarthy names his first Harambee Stars squad.