Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy believes his background will help him succeed in Kenya where he is the national team coach.
McCarthy took over the Harambee Stars one month ago and led them to a draw and defeat in his first two matches although he was lauded for a much-improved display as his team played on the front foot.
The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach says that was just the start and hopes to bring even more, crediting it to his upbringing as well as his football education.
Benni banking to rough upbringing
“The philosophy should be your team is a reflection of you. I was from the streets in Cape Town. I know what it is to work hard and to suffer,” McCarthy told Kenyan TV station NTV.
“I know what it is to thrive. When you want success so bad, you know what you have to do to get the success and you need to break down every wall as you possibly can and every door until someone gives you that chance and then you take it.
“So, I know that and when you see the teams myself and my technical team coach, we want to see a reflection of them in us on that pitch, always biting our teeth and we are up for a fight.
“No one comes to my home and order me around. I am the one that says; ‘Do you want this?’Politeness but I am the boss in my home. So that is what I want our national team to be like as well.
What is next for Harambee Stars?
“When you come to Kenya, you accept what comes your way. You do not come and dictate. For me it is fire, and to be fearless when you go out on the pitch. Yes, we might lose the game but we're gonna lose the game fighting like we never fought before.”
The former Manchester United first-team coach started his reign with a 3-3 draw against The Gambia before losing 2-1 to Gabon, both in World Cup qualifiers.
Even though Kenya are technically out of contention for a World Cup place, he has a chance to impress in August when Harambee Stars play the 2024 African Nations Championships that the country will co-host alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
