The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is expected to hire Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the national men’s football team, Harambee Stars.

FKF, guided by a task force led by Deputy President McDonald Mariga, has been searching for a new coach after Engin Firat resigned earlier this month.

According to Kevin Teya, the process is now complete. After interviewing several candidates, FKF has chosen McCarthy for the role.

Who is Benni McCarthy?

McCarthy, a South African, has extensive experience but will be taking on his first national team coaching job. His most recent role was as an assistant coach at Manchester United, where he worked with the forwards under Erik Ten Hag.

Born in 1977, McCarthy started his career at South African clubs Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs before joining Ajax in 1997.

McCarthy’s Career Under Jose Mourinho

In 1999, McCarthy moved to Celta Vigo in Spain for three years before joining Porto in 2003. He was part of the Porto team that won the 2004 Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

After leaving Porto, he played in England for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United before returning to South Africa to finish his career at Orlando Pirates in 2013.

McCarthy’s Coaching Experience

This will be McCarthy’s first national team position. After retiring, he became a coach, starting as an assistant at Hibernian and Sint-Truiden. He later managed Cape Town City and Amazulu in the South African Premier Soccer League.

McCarthy’s Role at Manchester United

In 2022, McCarthy joined Manchester United as an assistant coach under Erik Ten Hag. He left the role last season but is credited with helping Marcus Rashford find excellent form after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Interim Coach Francis Kimanzi

If McCarthy is appointed, he will replace Francis Kimanzi, who was made interim coach. Kimanzi took over for Harambee Stars during the Mapinduzi Cup, which will take place early next year.

It is unclear whether McCarthy will be in charge in time for the African Nations Championships (CHAN).

FKF Set to Appoint Former Manchester United Coach as New Harambee Stars Head Coach

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Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed has been elected as the President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in elections held on Saturday, December 7.

Mohammed secured 42 votes out of 90 cast during the elections conducted at Moi International Sports Centre’s Indoor Arena in Kasarani.

Former Harambee Stars captain McDonald Mariga was also elected and will take up the position of Vice President.

In a closely contested race, former FKF President Nick Mwendwa and his running mate Dorris Petra finished second with 31 votes.

Barry Otieno, the former FKF CEO, came in third with 10 votes, while Cleophas Shimanyula trailed in fourth place with 4 votes.

Hussein Mohammed will now succeed Nick Mwendwa, who led the Federation for six years since 2016.

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The elections went into a second round after no candidate achieved the required 50% majority in the first round. Mohammed ultimately clinched the presidency in the runoff.

The voting process included participation from four representatives of coaches and referees, alongside delegates from various counties.

The 90 delegates voted to fill key positions, including president, vice president, and National Executive Committee (NEC) members.

After his victory, Hussein Mohammed thanked the delegates for their support and pledged to revamp Kenyan football.

On social media, he wrote, “Grateful to all the delegates who backed the fresh start team and embraced change. This win belongs to every player, fan, and supporter striving for a brighter future for our football.”

He continued, “The journey to rebuild Kenyan football starts now. Together, we’ll restore pride, nurture talent, and reignite the passion that brings us together. Thank you for making this possible.”

Hussein Mohammed, Mariga Stun Nick Mwendwa in FKF Election Upset

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Former Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia and Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa are among the officials recommended for prosecution due to the alleged embezzlement of over Sh330 million allocated for the improvement of various stadiums in preparation for Kenya’s unsuccessful bid to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), in its quarterly report, recommended charging Mr. Kaberia, Mr. Mwendwa, Mr. Stephen Muthuma (Chief Finance Officer), Mr. Harun Chebet Komen (Director of Administration), and Mr. Enock Onditi (Principal Accountant) with conspiracy to commit corruption.

Additional officials from the Ministry of Culture and Arts, as well as senior officials at Sports Kenya, including Mr. John Kiende Ruga and Mr. Marcos Gonzalez Puente, a director at Auditel Kenya, may also be charged if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga concurs with the EACC.

Kenya was awarded the right to host CHAN in 2014, but the rights were later revoked due to inadequate preparation.

The event was subsequently hosted by Morocco from January 13 to February 4, 2018.

The EACC reported that it investigated the Sh1.5 billion tender process for the installation and supervision of security, access control, communications, audio-visual, and pitch lighting systems for five stadiums designated for the event.

The commission stated that its investigations revealed that Auditel Kenya was paid a total of Sh330.5 million for services that were not provided.

Last year, Kenya secured the rights to host CHAN this year and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations by submitting a joint bid with neighboring countries Uganda and Tanzania.

Plans are currently in place to renovate Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, and Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret, among other stadiums.

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The EACC’s report recommended that Mr. Kaberia, Mr. Komen, and Mr. Onditi face additional charges of financial misconduct and deliberate failure to adhere to procurement laws.

The Commission further recommended that Mr. Mwendwa, Restea Limited, and its director Mr. Muema Kitheka be charged with money laundering.

The report also suggested that Leasepride Limited and its director Antony Mwangi Kimathi, Leasepath Limited and its director Ephraim Kinyua Muchangi, and Restea Enterprises Limited and its director Kitheka be charged with unlawful acquisition of proceeds from crime.

Auditel Kenya and its director Mr. Puente will face charges of unlawful acquisition of public property if the DPP agrees with the EACC’s findings.

The EACC stated, “Financial investigations established that after Auditel Kenya was paid, Sh25,682,893.56 was transferred to Restea Enterprises (Restea).”

Restea allegedly transferred the money to individuals associated with Mr. Mwendwa, Leasepath Ltd, and Leasetrade Ltd.

“The Directors of Restea, Leasepath Ltd, Leasetrade Ltd, and the FKF President knowingly engaged in a scheme to receive money from Auditel Kenya with the intent to conceal,” the report asserted.

The EACC indicated that it had compiled the report and forwarded it with recommendations to the DPP on January 8.

EACC Targets FKF’s Nick Mwendwa, Ex-PS Kaberia in Sh1.5bn CHAN 2018 Scandal Arrest

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