Kenya has appointed Benni McCarthy as their new coach ahead of World Cup qualifiers. His first match will be against The Gambia in March, followed by a home game versus Gabon. Kenya is currently five points behind group leaders Côte d’Ivoire with six matches remaining. McCarthy has previously worked at Manchester United and managed in South Africa, bringing valuable experience to the role.

Kenya has appointed former South African international Benni McCarthy as their new head coach, just three weeks before the country resumes its World Cup qualification efforts. McCarthy will make his coaching debut in March with an away match against The Gambia, followed by a home game against Gabon. Currently, Kenya trails the group leaders, Côte d’Ivoire, by five points but has six matches remaining in Group F, where the winners qualify for the World Cup finals, and several runners-up can progress through a playoff.

The upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, as Kenya did not qualify for the 2025 finals in Morocco. McCarthy, who was recently on Manchester United’s coaching staff under Erik ten Hag, has experience managing South African clubs, including Cape Town City and AmaZulu. His football career includes winning the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and earning 80 caps for South Africa, during which he played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

Benni McCarthy’s appointment as head coach for Kenya marks a strategic move ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. With considerable experience as both a player and coach, McCarthy aims to improve the national team’s standing during this critical period. Additionally, Kenya’s role as a co-host for the upcoming AFCON highlights the nation’s growing significance in African football.

Original Source: gazettengr.com