Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy appears to have ended speculation linking him to the Orlando Pirates job after showing his commitment to his current job.
McCarthy, who is the Kenya national team coach, is among names that have been linked to the Pirates job that has fallen vacant following the departure of coach Jose Riveiro.
A former Pirates player, McCarthy ticks most boxes of what the Buccaneers are looking for, and alongside Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena, he is among South African coaches rumoured as possible replacements for Riveiro.
However, while he has not commented on the speculation, McCarthy has spoken over how he intends to turn around the fortunes of Kenya while setting a very high target for the East African country at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which they will co-host with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
Benni committed to his work in Kenya
“I am looking forward to going back and then working on the June international friendlies and then we have CHAN coming up in August so a month of that and working with the local players that play in Kenya,” McCarthy told Sporty TV.
“I am looking forward to that and also when I watched the U20 AFCON, I saw some real potential from the squad in the Kenyan U20 national team so a lot of good players coming through so I have got a big pot of players to work with.”
McCarthy, who signed a two-year-contract that will take him up to AFCON 2027, started his reign with a 3-3 draw away to The Gambia before losing 2-1 at home to Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and he admits that ship has sailed but its now time to right those wrongs in two years’ time.
What is Bafana legend targeting at AFCON 2027?
“Our chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is very slim but in 2027, we are the hosts of Africa Cup of Nations and my full focus will be on getting the best team out there and getting the best young players together so that 2027 AFCON, Kenya will not just be there to participate, but be at least in the semi-final or final,” added the former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach.
“That is what I want in Kenya because they are a sleeping giant that needs to wake up and hopefully, I am the guy to do that.”
McCarthy’s next big assignment will be the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) which Kenya will also co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
