Former Kenyan international Elijah Onsika wants Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to quickly unveil Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy.
McCarthy is reported to have agreed to take over the Kenya national team job but the FKF has been mum over the subject despite claims that he was set to be unveiled before January 10.
Harambee Stars are currently under the interim leadership of former coach Francis Kimanzi, who is handling the team at the regional Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, and is also expected to be in charge during the delayed 2024 African Nations Championships that kicks off on February 1 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Onsika wants ‘in-demand’ Benni unveiled
However, Onsika wants the appointment of McCarthy made immediately as he believes South Africa’s all-time top scorer is a man in demand who should be quickly tied down to a deal.
“When I read the news that FKF were courting McCarthy for the role on a permanent basis, I didn’t think twice, I said to myself we need him like yesterday, he has the know-how about African football and can be the best man to replace Engin (Firat),” Onsika told Flashscore.
“He (McCarthy) is a man in demand because of what he has achieved before, from his playing career and now as a coach. It is prudent that FKF must move with speed to tie him down or else he will take another route, he may get another offer and snub Kenya.”
Can McCarthy succeed in Kenya?
Onsika believes the former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach will be a major hit with Kenyan players, tipping him to work magic on captain and Kaizer Chiefs target Michael Olunga, just like he did with Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who scored a career-best 30 goals in 2022-23, when he worked as the club’s attacking coach.
“Recently he was with Man United and you saw how he shaped their strikers. You could see his hand on how Man United strikers did their job, he was a good striker too (during his playing days) and coming to Kenya, he will be able to help more players grow and develop their skills. He will have the chance to work with Michael Olunga and shape him even more,” he added.
Kenya are looking to replace Turkish coach Engin Firat, who resigned in December, after three unsuccessful years in charge of the Harambee Stars.
