Benni McCarthy challenges media, Harambee Stars fans

Former Manchester United striker coach, Benni McCarthy, has informed the fans and media in Kenya that he does not have a magic wand to turn around the Harambee Stars’ fortunes in a day.

Speaking to Citizen Television before Tuesday’s friendly against Chad, the Bafana Bafana legend insisted that he is only human and needs time to understand his players and quality.

“You guys, the media, have to understand, the fans have to understand that Rome was not built in one day,” McCarthy said.

“You will not come in there and make magic, then you have a castle, then you have a perfect squad in one day. I have to know these players. I have to see the quality, and I have to see what they are capable of at the national level.”

The former FC Porto striker made the remarks before he secured his first win in charge of Kenya amid mounting pressure for having gone winless in three straight matches since being appointed.

Harambee Stars beat Chad in an international friendly at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, thanks to goals from Emmanuel Osoro and David Sakwa.

Chad, who held Kenya to a goalless draw in their previous encounter, reduced the deficit through Ali Mahamat Adam’s 60th-minute strike.

Going into the friendlies in Morocco, the former AmaZulu FC coach had started his reign with a 3- 3 draw against The Gambia before losing 1-2 to Gabon in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Kenya are preparing to host the 2025 African Nations Championship alongside Tanzania and Uganda; hence, they needed the morale-boosting win even more for McCarthy, who took over the mantle in March this year.