Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has revealed what is giving him hope of a winning start with Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
McCarthy will take charge of his first match as Kenya national team coach when they play away to The Gambia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday night (21:00 SA time).
Kenya face a must-win situation as they are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group with five points from four matches with Ivory Coast leading with 10, Gabon second on nine points, while Burundi are third with seven.
McCarthy is thrilled with the squad at his disposal, which includes PSL stars Ian Otieno of Richards Bay, Brian Bwire of Polokwane City, Brian Onyango of Stellenbosch FC, as well as ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu.
What is exciting Bafana legend in Kenya?
“From what I saw from the players, we can definitely achieve something tomorrow [Thursday] against Gambia,” McCarthy said after a training session in Abidjan on Wednesday night.
“No football match is easy, it is going to be very difficult and they are going to make it extremely difficult for us but I am positive, I am excited about the squad that we have assembled and the quality we saw in training.
“I have a lot of positives and lots to look forward to in the game and hopefully, we will do as I am expecting us to do and that is to fly back to Kenya with all three points.”
However, Bafana Bafana’s leading scorer feels tactics alone will not be enough to win on enemy territory and wants his players to get to the pitch with the aim of enjoying the game before they execute his plan.
Benni wants to see smiles on the faces
“The best way for us to play football is to play with a smile on your face. You see the best players in the world, Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha. You see these guys and the level that they play, you always see them have a smile on their face, they love what they do,” added the former AmaZulu and Cape Town City coach.
“That is what I try to bring in. You see now the players are smiling and having a joke but they also know when it is time to work is time to work and be serious but we do it with a smile on our face because there is nothing more than we want to do and that is to play football and enjoy what we do.
“That is what we brought into this team and hopefully, it transpires throughout the players and tomorrow [Thursday], they are just going out there and enjoy themselves and have fun but also, when it comes to trying to win a football match, that is what we are going to do.”
McCarthy has vowed to help Kenya qualify for their first-ever World Cup as he believes it is still possible, especially if they beat The Gambia on Thursday and Gabon at home on Sunday March 23.
