Benni McCarthy’s ‘new job’ divides opinion in Kenya

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Benni McCarthy’s ‘new job’ divides opinion in Kenya
Benni McCarthy, Kenya national team coach. Image: FKF

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has left Kenyans divided after trading the football pitch for the supermarket aisle in a lively new advertising campaign for Shoprite South Africa.

Known for his intense and passionate demeanor on the touchline, the former Manchester United attacking coach surprised fans by showcasing his playful side.

In the “Brand Match” campaign commercial, McCarthy is seen dancing and singing with infectious energy, a departure from his usual serious football persona.

Benni McCarthy and defender Collins
Benni McCarthy and defender Collins Sichenje. Photo – FKF

The advertisement features McCarthy encouraging shoppers to seize the opportunity to win a share of R30 million in cash and prizes through the “LOW-DUUUMA MILLIONS” promotion. The campaign rewards customers who purchase participating products with a chance to win big.

“When Benni’s got something to mention, you listen,” read the ad’s caption, highlighting his authoritative yet engaging presence.

Fans react to McCarthy’s performance

The commercial quickly generated significant buzz online, with some fans delighted to see the football icon in a different light but others in Kenya, where McCarthy is the national team coach, are not happy.

“The man we are hoping will take us to AFCON quarters and even World Cup in Saudi, anyway we hired an influencer,” a Kenyan fan said on X.

“Our automatic #AFCON2027 qualification is already saving face. If you tried asking Benni McCarthy about his punditry and influencing gigs as a NT head coach he’d shift to the quality of our squad and tell you even reaching the quarter-finals will take God’s hand,” another one observed.

“Benni McCarthy is an influencer coaching Harambee Stars is a part time job,” another critic of McCarthy claimed.

Benni McCarthy instructs his Kenya players.
Benni McCarthy instructs his players. Photo: FKF

Kenyans unhappy with ‘absent’ Benni

McCarthy’s commercial dropped just a day after he was named among a star-studded lineup for the BBC’s World Cup coverage, where he will work as a pundit, during the month-long tournament.

Some Kenyans feel the Harambee Stars coach has not been ‘fully present’ in the country due to his limited appearances at league matches with his detractors pointing to his call-ups as evidence of this.

McCarthy has been overlooking a number of players lighting it up at their clubs in Kenya and for various teams in Africa in favour of foreign-born stars playing in fringe leagues and for lower tier teams in Europe, something Kenyans are not impressed with.

The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach is set to lead Kenya in two friendly matches against Kyrgyzstan on June 3 and Palestine on June 6. Following these games, the team will turn its attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will face Guinea, Eritrea, and Bafana Bafana.

Kenya are already qualified for AFCON 2027 by virtue of being co-hosts but McCarthy and his team will be looking for a great qualification campaign which will act as part of their preparations for the tournament where Bafana’s all-time top scorer is hoping to get past the group stage.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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