Following the exit of Engin Firat, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) were in the market for his replacement and recently appointed Francis Kimanzi on an interim basis as they continued the search for a permanent coach.
Kimanzi, who is being assisted by Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and John Kamau, was handed the role to prepare the team for the invitational Mapinduzi Cup tournament scheduled for Zanzibar from January 3rd.
McCarthy to be appointed before January 10
Flashscore can now reveal that the FKF have reached out to the former Bafana Bafana striker, who has accepted to take up the role and will arrive with one assistant ahead of the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
A source within FKF, who did not want to be named, confirmed McCarthy - who managed 79 appearances for the South Africa national team and scored 31 goals - will arrive in the East African nation for the unveiling ceremony before January 10th.
“The next Harambee Stars coach is going to be Benni McCarthy, unless anything changes. FKF and his agent are already working on the contract and it should be finalised soon because the target is to unveil him, latest January 10, 2025,” the FKF source, who did not want to be named, told Flashscore.
“He (McCarthy) has already accepted the offer on the table and he will be allowed to come in with one assistant, while Kenya will give him one assistant to work with. It is obvious that Kimanzi was handed the role on an interim basis, so he will pave the way for McCarthy to take charge.
“What I understand is that McCarthy will be paid around Ks2.2 million, and all negotiations are already complete, only the contract is being sorted out before he arrives to replace Engin Firat in a permanent role.”
McCarthy was most recently a first-team coach at Manchester United and previously worked as head coach of South African Premier Division team AmaZulu. A former forward, he is the South Africa national team's all-time top scorer and the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League, doing so with Porto in 2003-04.
McCarthy, who has managed Hibernian, Sint-Truiden, and Cape Town City, began playing at a local side called Young Pirates, which was managed by his uncles. He then joined the youth structures of a local amateur club called Crusaders. At age 17, he was signed by first division club Seven Stars.
Origi speaks after landing Harambee Stars role
Meanwhile, former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi has discussed his recent appointment as the goalkeeper coach for the national team.
Origi was handed the goalkeeping role following changes made to the Harambee Stars technical bench. Origi, who managed 48 appearances for the national team, was drafted into the goalkeeping role replacing Jerim Onyango.
Speaking for the first time after the appointment, Origi - who played professional football in Norway - opened up about his return to Harambee Stars, his unexpected shift into coaching, and his thoughts on the players in camp.
“Being back with the national team is a great feeling – it’s always an honour,” Origi said. “I’ve had the privilege of representing Harambee Stars as a player, and now I’m here as a goalkeeper trainer. It’s a different role, but one I’ve grown to love.
“My move into coaching wasn’t planned. My role model was Gianluigi Buffon, who played well into his 40s, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. But after my last contract at FC Hord in Norway, finding a good offer became really tough.
“As you get older, it’s just how the game works. Luckily, I had completed my UEFA coaching badges for goalkeepers, and when I got the chance to train keepers at Ostersund, I realised it was something I truly enjoyed. That’s where my coaching journey started.”
On the appointment of Kimanzi, Origi said: “Coach Francis Kimanzi is someone I respect a lot. I worked with him as a player, and I’ve always admired his approach to the game. He’s demanding, but that’s what this team needs to progress. It feels great to work with him again in a different capacity.”
On his first day at work and working with goalkeepers - goalkeepers Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), and Morgan Ambuka (Murang’a Seal) – Origi said: “These keepers are good, and I see them as more than just players – they’re like younger brothers and friends to me. They’ve got potential, but there’s always room for improvement, and that’s my job here.”
On his expectations for the Mapinduzi Cup, the former Kenya One explained: “Winning the Mapinduzi Cup would be fantastic, but the bigger picture is building a solid team for CHAN. Playing on home soil brings extra pressure, and we have to get it right.
"The country loves football and is hungry for success. We saw it with the U17 girls qualifying for the World Cup – it shows what’s possible with the right support. I hope Kenyans will keep supporting us as we work towards building something special.”
Harambee Stars are in camp preparing for the Mapinduzi Cup set for Zanzibar from 3rd to 13th January 2025.
