‘He has brought class’ – Victor Wanyama lauds Benni McCarthy for transforming Kenya

Kenyan legend Victor Wanyama has hailed Bafana Bafana great Benni McCarthy for his transformative impact on the country’s football.

McCarthy has been the Harambee Stars boss since March this year, winning four, drawing as many while suffering one defeat, and his tactical acumen was on full display at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) when he led Kenya to the quarter-final.

Kenya finished top of a tough group that had Morocco and DR Congo, both two-time winners, COSAFA champions Angola and Zambia after many had predicted that they would not make it past that stage.

Benni earns high praise from Wanyama

The way he galvanized his side has earned him plaudits in the East African country and one of the country’s biggest football exports Wanyama has joined those in awe of the former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach’s work.

“Proud of our Harambee Stars. You played with heart, courage, and unity, reminding us that football is more than trophies, it’s about pride, passion, and resilience. Though CHAN ends here, the journey continues. Onwards and upwards,” Wanyama posted on Instagram after Kenya’s elimination.

Speaking of McCarthy, the former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said: “To coach @bennimac17, thank you for reviving football and bringing class and professionalism. We can only wait to see what’s ahead.”

How has McCarthy transformed Kenya?

McCarthy has turned a Kenyan side that looked out of sorts and lost the confidence of fans into a solid team that is hard to beat and plays with swagger to the delight of supporters who filled the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi throughout their run at CHAN 2024.

The Bafana Bafana legend will be looking to maintain the same in next month’s World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles, both matches set to be played in Nairobi, although Kenya are out of the running for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

McCarthy has a contract with Kenya up to 2027 and is expected to lead them into that year’s Africa Cup of Nations that the country will co-host with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.