By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Kenya on Monday confirmed former South African striker Benni McCarthy as the east African country’s new coach on a two-year deal.
McCarthy, 47, signed a contract that has been on the table with the Kenya Football Federation since December.
He will be joined by Vasili Manousakis (assistant coach), Moneeb Josephs (goalkeeping coach) and Pilela Maposa (performance analyst).
FKF president Hussein Mohammed said that McCarthy was the right person for the job.
“After a rigorous selection process, we are confident that Benni McCarthy is the right person to lead our national team forward. His experience, vision and commitment to developing Kenyan football align perfectly with our ambitions.”
Speaking after his appointment, McCarthy said he believed that Kenya has immense potential and would look towards his team playing exciting football.
“I am honoured to take on this role and excited about the journey ahead with the Kenyan national team. I have studied the talent in this country, and I believe there is immense potential to compete at the highest level,” he said.
“Together with my coaching team, we are committed to building a structured, disciplined and competitive squad. Our goal is to develop a strong team identity, play exciting football and make the nation proud.
McCarthy is the ninth South African to coach a national team of another country following in the footsteps of Thomas ‘Zero’ Johnson at Botswana, Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane with Namibia, Ephraim Mashaba with Eswatini and Thabo Senong at Lesotho. Botswana last month named Morena Ramoreboli as their new coach.