Kenya, March 23 -- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has been in the spotlight during Kenya's recent match against Gabon for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Nyayo Stadium.
McCarthy, a South African, started coaching the national team earlier this month and aims to lead Kenya to its first-ever World Cup.
In today's match, he was very active on the sideline, especially after midfielder Mohammed Bajaber was fouled in a controversial play. Many saw him arguing with the referee, showing his strong emotions as a coach.
The game took place while fans filled the stadium, cheering for the team and chanting "Ruto Must Go!"-a sign of the political issues affecting the country.
McCarthy, who previously won the Champions League with FC Porto and worked with Manchester United, has made an impression since he began on March 3.
His first match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia on March 20, where he showed his attacking strategy.
Now, during the match against Gabon, everyone is watching to see if he can help Kenya win and improve their position in Group F, where they are currently fourth with five points.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) hired McCarthy with a two-year contract, hoping his experience in European and African football would help the Harambee Stars succeed.
His coaching team includes assistant coach Vasili Manousakis and goalkeeper coach Moeneeb Josephs, who are all working to reinvigorate a team eager to achieve success in international football.
The Harambee Stars vs Gabon game marks McCarthy's first game at Nyayo Stadium, which was recently renovated to meet African football standards.
As the match goes on, fans and experts are watching closely to see if McCarthy can fulfil his promise of making Kenya a strong team in the region.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.