Benni McCarthy, the South African coach of Kenya's national football team, Harambee Stars, has been noticeably absent from Kenyan domestic matches since taking charge in March 2025. His absence has raised questions, particularly with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaching. McCarthy missed important local matches, including the recent FKF Super Cup between Gor Mahia and Tusker.
McCarthy's absence from Kenyan football has been a topic of discussion, with many wondering about his commitment to the team. However, he has now spoken out about the reasons behind his limited presence in Kenya. According to McCarthy, the issue is not a lack of interest but a bureaucratic one. He revealed that neither he nor any member of his technical team has been granted a work permit in Kenya.
The lack of work permits has made it difficult for McCarthy and his team to stay in Kenya for extended periods between national team assignments. McCarthy explained that they cannot work as illegal immigrants, which is why he comes to Kenya, does his job, and then leaves when the camp is finished. This situation has been ongoing for over a year, despite his appointment as Harambee Stars head coach in March 2025.
McCarthy's appointment as Harambee Stars coach came with a strong pedigree, including a stint as attack coach at Manchester United and previous managerial roles with Cape Town City and AmaZulu in South Africa. He took over from Engin Firat, and his contract runs through to the 2027 AFCON tournament. Despite the constraints, McCarthy is back in Kenya for the current international window.
Harambee Stars are set for two AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures, hosting Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on 26 September and travelling to Conakry to face Guinea on 1 October. Although Kenya's place at AFCON 2027 is already secured as one of the tournament's co-hosts, the qualifiers serve primarily as competitive preparation.
After the two qualifiers, Kenya will also face Rwanda in an international friendly in Kigali on 5 October, giving McCarthy another opportunity to assess his options. He will be working to assemble a side ready to perform when the continent descends on East Africa in 2027. McCarthy's provisional Harambee Stars squad for the qualifiers includes returning stars Michael Olunga and Joseph Okumu.
The Harambee Stars squad has been whittled down from the initial list, which included teenage prospect Aldrine Kibet. With the AFCON 2027 approaching, McCarthy will need to finalize his squad and make the most of the remaining preparation time. His absence from Kenyan domestic football has been a challenge, but he is working to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles and lead the team to success.
Key points
- McCarthy and his technical team have not been granted work permits in Kenya, limiting their presence in the country.
- Harambee Stars will play Eritrea and Guinea in AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures this month.
- Kenya's AFCON 2027 preparations are primarily focused on competitive preparation rather than qualifying for the tournament.
