CHAN: Ex-Kenya coach ‘Ghost’ Mulee believes McCarthy’s arrival was good choice

Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has credited Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for their decision to hire Benni McCarthy to lead national team Harambee Stars.

The South African legend was in charge of Kenya in the just concluded TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) guiding them to the knockout stages before losing 4-3 on penalties against Madagascar after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra-time.

Harambee Stars finished their Group A with an unbeaten record and managed to secure wins against two-time CHAN winners DR Congo and Morocco. They beat DR Congo 1-0 and registered a similar result against Atlas Lions.

“I think bringing in Benni McCarthy was a very good choice. Looking at Kenya’s ‘group of death,’ nobody ever imagined we could beat Morocco, the eventual winners—let alone top that group,” Mulee said while speaking to Citizen TV.

“We had DRC, who have won it twice, and Morocco, who now made history by winning it three times. I believe Benni has brought a lot of smiles to Kenyans. He made us believe that we still have talent in this country with the way he organised the team.”

He added: “There are many things we, as coaches, could study from him. For example, changing seven players in one game and still winning—that took a lot of confidence. He also introduced players who had never played at the international stage, and they performed.”

Mulee concluded: “I’ve said before that the stars have aligned for Kenyan football. Benny was the right coach at the right time. We didn’t make it to the finals, but it was exciting to lead the group that produced the eventual winners.”

Morocco eventually won the CHAN for the third time after defeating Madagascar 3-2 in the final at Kasarani Stadium.

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