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Wednesday, 22 July 2026
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Wednesday, 22 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Benni McCarthy

Also known as: MCarthy

Football Kenya Federation coach identifying diaspora players for Kenya's Harambee Stars ahead of AFCON 2027 hosting.

2026-05-192026-07-22

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. The Standard

    Benni McCarthy needs to know his name. More urgently, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) needs to have already made the call.

    Why diaspora players will help Kenya compete well at Afcon 2027
  3. Citizen Digital

    I can assure you that it is going to be much tougher next season thanks to AFCON 2027 where players will want to impress Harambee Stars head coach Benni MCcarthy for selection…” Last season we saw competitiveness, different from the previous seasons, and we are very hopeful that

    AFCON 2027 a catalyst to stiff league competition, says Coach Muhiddin
  4. Citizen Digital

    I can assure you that it is going to be much tougher next season thanks to AFCON 2027 where players will want to impress Harambee Stars head coach Benni MCcarthy for selection…” Last season we saw competitiveness, different from the previous seasons, and we are very hopeful that

    AFCON 2027 a catalyst to stiff league competition, says Coach Muhiddin
  5. Citizen Digital

    By doing so, Benni McCarthy can even get more players for Harambee Stars when the league teams are sponsored,” he added.

    ‎Badi blames poor home form for Kibera Black Stars' mid-table finish, calls for NSL sponsorship
  6. The Standard

    Although Kenya have already qualified for the tournament as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, coach Benni McCarthy is keen to build a competitive team capable of performing well both in the qualifiers and at the finals.

    Harambee Stars seek redemption against Lesotho
  7. The Standard

    The goal settled Kenya and gave Benni McCarthy's side confidence after facing criticism from fans following Thursday's draw.

    Harambee Stars thrash Lesotho 4-0 in South Africa
  8. The Standard

    Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy admitted his technical bench made an inexperienced mistake during Kenya’s 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an international friendly match played on Thursday at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Why Harambee Stars coach McCarthy is a frustrated man
  9. Citizen Digital

    McCarthy wants a better show from Harambee Stars in Lesotho rematch after draw By Festus Lango June 05, 2026 06:05 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Harambee Stars players being briefed after a training sessi

    McCarthy wants a better show from Harambee Stars in Lesotho rematch after draw
  10. Citizen Digital

    The Benni McCarthy-coached side drew first blood after Frank Odhiambo fired a right-footed belter in the upper centre of the goal in the 17th minute and held the lead through to the first half.

    Harambee Stars held by Lesotho in Pretoria friendly
  11. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeA youthful Harambee Stars side will face Lesotho in an international friendly at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, from 4 pm (Kenyan time) in South Africa, with head coach Benni McCarthy using the match to test new faces ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations

    New-look Harambee Stars face Lesotho test

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Kenya should recruit diaspora players for Afcon 2027 hosting

    With Kenya hosting Africa's biggest football tournament in June 2027, Football Kenya Federation coach Benni McCarthy is identifying diaspora players with Kenyan heritage to strengthen the Harambee Stars, including Real Sociedad winger Job Ochieng who made his LaLiga debut in February 2026.

    30 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 24 June

  1. AFCON 2027 hosting will intensify Kenyan Premier League competition

    Former Harambee Stars coach Twahir Muhiddin predicts the Kenyan Premier League will face stiffer competition when the new season kicks off in August, driven by players seeking to impress national team selectors ahead of AFCON 2027, which Kenya will host.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. AFCON 2027 will intensify Kenyan Premier League competition

    Former Harambee Stars head coach Twahir Muhiddin predicts the Kenyan Premier League will face stiffer competition when the new season starts in August, driven by players seeking selection for AFCON 2027, which Kenya will host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 15 June

  1. Kibera Black Stars coach blames poor home form for ninth-place NSL finish

    Kibera Black Stars head coach Iddi Badi attributed his team's ninth-place finish in the National Super League to their poor home record and inability to sustain winning runs, noting they collected better results away than at home despite finishing with 53 points.

    15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sunday 7 June

  1. Harambee Stars seek improved display against Lesotho

    Kenya drew 1-1 with Lesotho in their first friendly match on Thursday and will face them again today in their second encounter, as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in September. Coach Benni McCarthy is using the friendlies to build a competitive squad ahead of Kenya's group stage campaign alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea.

    7 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Harambee Stars defeat Lesotho 4-0 in South Africa

    Kenya's Harambee Stars beat Lesotho 4-0 on Sunday in South Africa, a sharp rebound from a 1-1 draw three days earlier. Mohammed Bajaber scored twice in the victory, which saw Kenya control possession and limit Lesotho's attacking chances.

    7 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 6 June

  1. Harambee Stars coach McCarthy frustrated after Lesotho draw

    Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy acknowledged that his technical bench made an inexperienced mistake during Kenya's 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an international friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Kenya led early through Gor Mahia defender Frank Odhiambo but Lesotho equalized in the second half.

    6 June 2026 · The Standard

Friday 5 June

  1. McCarthy unsatisfied with Kenya's 1-1 draw versus Lesotho

    Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy said he was not entirely satisfied with Kenya's 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an international friendly in Pretoria, but acknowledged the match provided valuable lessons for his largely revamped squad with several first-time players.

    5 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 4 June

  1. Harambee Stars draw one-all with Lesotho in Pretoria friendly

    Kenya's Harambee Stars were held to a 1–1 draw by Lesotho in an international friendly at Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Thursday, with Frank Odhiambo scoring for Kenya in the 17th minute and Thabo Makhele equalizing for Lesotho in the 70th. The sides will meet again on Sunday at the same venue.

    4 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Harambee Stars field youth side against Lesotho in Pretoria friendly

    Kenya's national football team will face Lesotho in an international friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, with head coach Benni McCarthy using the match to test new faces ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Several players including defenders Deon Woodman and Sydney Agina, winger Sammy Hena-Kamau, striker Micah Obiero, and goalkeeper Caleb Kramer are set for their senior international debuts.

    4 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Defender Ouma returns after 10 months injury to face Lesotho

    Defender Eric Ouma is back for Harambee Stars after nearly a year sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon, and will help guide a youthful squad against Lesotho in a friendly in South Africa on Thursday as Kenya prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    3 June 2026 · The Standard

Friday 29 May

  1. Harambee Stars midfielder Okwaro visits former school in Kenya

    Manzur Okwaro, a 20-year-old Kenya national team midfielder who moved to French Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims in January 2026, returned to his former high school, St. Anthony's Boys Kitale, where he received a grand welcome from students. Okwaro, who has been a constant selection under coach Benni McCarthy, is working to break into Reims' senior roster after initially being integrated into their Pro 2 squad.

    29 May 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 21 May

  1. Harambee Stars prepare for 2027 Afcon with youthful squad

    Coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a youthful squad for next month's international friendlies as Kenya prepares for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Kenya are already assured a place at the tournament as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, though the qualifiers remain important for McCarthy's rebuilding project.

    21 May 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Kenya to play AFCON 2027 qualifiers despite host status

    Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations—have automatic qualification to the finals but will still participate in the qualification campaign, according to CAF clarification.

    19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Kenya drawn in Group D for 2027 AFCON qualifiers

    Kenya's Harambee Stars have been placed in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea, following the draw in Cairo. Though Kenya has already secured automatic qualification as a co-host, the qualifiers will test the team's readiness ahead of the tournament, with head coach Benni McCarthy facing an emotional fixture against his former country South Africa.

    19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Kenya drawn with South Africa in 2027 AFCON qualifiers

    Kenya's national football team faces South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which run from September 2026 to March 2027. The draw sets up an emotional reunion for Kenya coach Benni McCarthy, who was South Africa's all-time leading scorer and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto in 2004.

    19 May 2026 · The Standard

Benni McCarthy — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute