A former Kaizer Chiefs star who is now playing under Benni McCarthy in Kenya has hailed the iconic marksman's impact on the national team.
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The Capetonian has only been in charge of the Harambee Stars for just over a month, but it seems he has already made an impression on his new charges.
The 47-year-old was appointed head coach of the East African outfit on 3 March, and two weeks later took charge of his first matches as boss — crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.
Although he did not win either of the aforementioned clashes, drawing 3-3 against the Scorpions and losing 2-1 to the Panthers, McCarthy seemed to impress the players immensely.
One of them is former Amakhosi midfielder Teddy Akumu. The defensive midfielder made 47 appearances for the Glamour Boys during his two-year spell at Naturena between 2020 and 2022. Since leaving the Johannesburg-based institution, Akumu has featured more prominently for his national team, making 19 of his 32 appearances for Kenya since 2023.
Despite being 32 years old, the midfield lynchpin appears to be a key figure in the early configuration of the Harambee Stars under Benni McCarthy, and the Rachuonyo native believes they will soon be a force in African football under the former Manchester United striking coach.
"I really enjoyed playing under McCarthy in the last two games in the World Cup qualifiers," Akumu told Telecomasia.net.
"He is a great coach and really knows what he is doing. We played like that [attractive football] after just three sessions. Just imagine the change we will see when we train longer?
"I believe he will succeed with the national team because he has already shown what he can do."
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Akumu now plays his football in the Persian Gulf Pro League in Iran with Kheybar Khorramabad FC
