Benni takes Kenya job

Benni McCarthy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Kenyan national football team, with just three weeks to prepare the squad for two vital World Cup qualifiers later this month. The 47-year-old former South African striker signed a contract with the Kenya Football Federation that had been on the table since December. He will be joined by assistant coaches Vasili Manousakis, a former Richards Bay coach, and Moeneeb Josephs, a former South Africa and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper.

McCarthy's debut matches as coach will be against Gambia away and Gabon at home, though the dates and venues are still to be confirmed. These games are crucial for Kenya's World Cup qualification hopes. Currently sitting fourth in Group F with five points from four matches, Kenya is five points behind leaders Ivory Coast and still has six qualifiers left to play.

Although Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda, they failed to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco. McCarthy takes up the job after leaving his position at Manchester United, where he worked on Erik ten Hag's coaching staff. Prior to that, he had successful stints with Cape Town City and AmaZulu, where he led the latter from relegation to second place in the South African Premier Soccer League.

McCarthy's playing career is legendary, highlighted by his UEFA Champions League win with Porto, and he remains South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals for the national team.