Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy’s future as Kenya national team coach has been a subject of speculation in recent weeks in the wake of Jose Riveiro’s departure from Orlando Pirates.
McCarthy has been among names mentioned as potential successors to Riveiro with Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena the others linked to the role.
This is despite McCarthy just signing a two-year contract as the Harambee Stars coach in March with the country looking up to him to revive their fortunes ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
However, Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed has clarified the circumstances under which the former AmaZulu and Cape Town City coach can leave before the end of his contract.
How can Benni leave the Harambee Stars?
“We have agreed within the contract that we have to give each other notice if we want him to leave and if he wants also to leave the terms are very clear, we have to give a period of time,” Mohammed said on Kenya’s Citizen TV.
“It is a short period, maybe two to three months and just say we want to part ways and we have a very clear exit plan,” he further explained.
McCarthy has so far guided Kenya in four matches, starting with a 3-3 draw away to The Gambia, before losing 2-1 at home to Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March, and got his first win last week when his team beat Chad 2-1 in a friendly match, three days after playing out a goalless draw with the same team in Morocco.
McCarthy’s rumoured R1.1 million pay clarified
Meanwhile, Mohammed also weighed in on the issue of McCarthy’s pay following reports that he is on Ksh8 million (R1.1 million) per month.
“Benni McCarthy’s term is up to 2027, immediately after AFCON. He is employed like any other employee and his terms of payment are personal to him. If we get his consent, we can discuss the terms of his pay, it should not be a big issue,” said Mohammed.
“I would rather it came from him so that he clarifies because it is a private matter. It is not the figures that have been thrown around and it would be important that it comes from him so that he feels comfortable with that particular agenda.”
It remains to be seen who Pirates settle on as their next coach but until then, McCarthy’s name will continue to be linked even as he plans to guide Kenya at the 2024 African Nations Championships that kicks off on August 2 in East Africa.
