Benni is “ecstatic” with his Kenya debut

Benni McCarthy, coach of the Kenya national team, expressed his excitement about leading the Harambee Stars in their forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, which start on Thursday, March 20, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium with a match against Gambia. The game will start at 9:00 p.m. CAT.

The Harambee Stars enter their next Group F assignment fresh off two straight draws against Burundi and Ivory Coast after faltering in the opening exchanges of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying bid.

After four games, Kenya is currently in fourth place in Group F, five points behind log leaders Ivory Coast.

The Bafana Bafana veteran said that now is the time to “embrace” challenges after McCarthy took the Kenya hot seat for the first time.

Leading my first two World Cup qualifying matches makes me very happy. McCarthy remarked, “I’m excited to work with the talented squad I’ve chosen for the campaign.”

We’re prepared to take on the task as a team, even though there is still a lot of effort and commitment ahead.

After losing to Gabon 3-2 in their most recent qualifier, Gambia is also looking to go back to winning ways in Group F.

Before the match in Ivory Coast, the Scorpions are currently in fifth place in their group and two points behind Kenya.

Following his recent influence over Benni’s appointment, Gambia coach Jonathan McKinstry anticipates Kenya to play an offensive style of football.

“Kenyan football is entering a new era,” McKinstry declared.

“It’s clear that Benni has taken over recently, and if you look at his teams in South Africa, whether they were AmaZulu or Cape Town City, you can see that they have always wanted to be more attacking and press more. He was also an amazing football player.”