Benni McCarthy, Bafana Bafana's all-time record goal scorer, has made a bold statement since taking the reins of the Kenya national football team.
Appointed as the Harambee Stars' head coach earlier this month, McCarthy is determined to turn the Kenyan side into a formidable force on the international stage. Although Kenya is yet to register a win under McCarthy's leadership, the coach remains optimistic that the best is yet to come.
Since McCarthy's arrival, Kenya has played two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, with mixed results. The team earned a 3-3 draw against Gambia but was narrowly defeated 2-1 by Gabon. Despite the lack of victories, McCarthy is confident that with time and the right approach, the Harambee Stars can turn things around and achieve greater success in the future.
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Reflecting on his early days with the team, McCarthy explained that he has had to adapt quickly, focusing heavily on the World Cup qualifiers from the outset.
"I haven't watched many local games because I came in and immediately had to focus on the World Cup qualifiers. I had to rely a lot on the coaches who are there. But now, we have time between now and August. I will move around the country to try and see as many players as possible," McCarthy told CAF online.
His plan is clear: to cast a wide net and identify the best talent Kenya has to offer. He intends to travel throughout the country to assess local players, and in doing so, he hopes to build a more cohesive and competitive squad.
"I am also hoping that we can organise small camps in between with some selected players so that we get to build a team early enough," McCarthy added.
One of McCarthy's key goals is to build a strong Harambee Stars team that will be competitive on the international stage. "We have to put up a very strong Harambee Stars side because we are hosting this tournament, and we can't be there just to participate," he said. "We have to work to get out of the group stages and into the knockout rounds, and that means we need to get a very strong team."
McCarthy's ambitions are aligned with his belief that Kenya's potential is vast, and with the right guidance and preparation, the country can emerge as a competitive force in African football. His focus on developing a solid team structure, both locally and internationally, is seen as a long-term project, with the upcoming months crucial for his plans.
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