Benni McCarthy in the Kenyan area Former Bafana Bafana star Benni McCarthy is set to be unveiled as the new head coach of the Kenyan national team. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP
Image: Oli Scarff/AFP
Hugo Broos is not going to last forever in the Bafana Bafana job.
The 72-year-old has insisted time and time again that he will remain in his position until the end of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Should Bafana fail to reach the tournament, he will end his tenure when the qualification campaign concludes.
When Broos goes, the South African Football Association (SAFA) will need a replacement to fill his shoes.
For many, Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy is seen as the perfect man to carry on the mantle and take the team forward.
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According to multiple reports, McCarthy is set to be unveiled as the new head coach of the Kenyan national team. Should he get the job, many at SAFA House will be keeping an eye on his progress.
Kenya did not make a good start to their campaign to qualify for the World Cup. Under McCarthy, they will be looking to improve by winning games they should win. They face Gambia and Gabon next. While he will not be under any pressure to produce results immediately, many will be keeping an eye on how he does.
In his previous jobs as head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu, he proved himself as someone who has a good tactical understanding of the game. In his first job, he led the fledgling Cape Town club to their first — and only — cup title in 2018. And a couple of years later, AmaZulu reached the CAF Champions League for the very first time with him in charge.
His two years at Manchester United, where he worked with players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, will also be a valuable experience for the 47-year-old.
Kenya, a proud football nation that has underperformed on the international stage in recent years, could be the perfect place for him to showcase his abilities as a head coach.
If McCarthy thrives in Kenya, proving his tactical acumen on the international stage, his stock will rise even further. And when the time comes for SAFA to make a decision on Broos' successor, they may not have to look far. A successful stint with Kenya could be the perfect audition for the Bafana Bafana job — one that many believe he is destined for.
IOL Sport