Benni McCarthy Fires at Critics Who Claim Kenyans Lack Football Talent

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has fired back at claims made by former coach Engin Firat and other critics who insist Kenya lacks football talent. McCarthy strongly disagrees, saying such remarks come from people who failed to recognize the depth of skill and potential within the country’s players.

McCarthy Disputes Firat’s Harsh Assessment

Former Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has never shied away from criticizing Kenyan football. In a past interview with Russian outlet SE, Firat argued that Kenya is a nation with little knowledge or appreciation for the sport. According to him, Kenyans do not show enough respect for football compared to other countries.

He recalled that after Kenya triumphed in the Asian Championships in Qatar, the victory drew almost no attention back home. Firat even claimed that if Kenya managed to defeat Russia, few would care, suggesting that football simply does not hold much importance in Kenyan culture.

“Kenya is a country where people don’t know anything about football, so they don’t respect it enough,” Firat said at the time. “When we won in Qatar, no one cared. Even if we beat Russia, nobody would celebrate it. In neighboring countries, they’d probably build a monument in my honor for such a win.”

“They Just Didn’t Do Their Job Properly” – McCarthy Responds

Benni McCarthy, however, sees things very differently. The South African tactician believes that those who claimed Kenya lacks talent simply failed to look deep enough or do their job effectively. In his view, the country has no shortage of capable and driven players who just need proper guidance and confidence to shine.

“Anyone saying there’s no talent in Kenya was either on something or simply didn’t do their job properly,” McCarthy said in an interview shared by KBC journalist Caren Kibet on Instagram. “Kenya is full of talented footballers.”

McCarthy explained that his coaching philosophy is built around trust and empowerment. Instead of controlling every move his players make, he prefers to give them the freedom to make decisions on the pitch. He provides direction and tactical instructions but allows his players to interpret and apply them creatively during matches.

“You’ve got to give players the power to think for themselves,” he said. “You can’t micromanage them, telling them what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. You give them the plan, guide them, and then let them go out there and take ownership of the game.”

Empowering Players to Believe and Compete

McCarthy, who previously worked as a striker coach at Manchester United, believes that this sense of freedom and trust brings out the best in his players. Once they understand his instructions and realize how capable they truly are, they start to see their potential more clearly.

“Empowering players is everything,” he explained. “When they finally see what we’re saying and understand how good they can become, they begin to believe they can compete against anyone, and even beat anyone.”

According to McCarthy, that mindset shift has been crucial in transforming the Harambee Stars’ mentality. He wants his players to feel confident that they can face top opponents head-on without fear or hesitation. Building that belief, he said, is the key to developing a winning culture in Kenyan football.

“When players start believing in themselves and in the system, they no longer feel inferior,” McCarthy added. “That’s when you see them take control, show personality, and express their talent on the field.”

Focus Turns to Ivory Coast Clash

Kenya now faces a tough challenge as they prepare to take on reigning African champions Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 14, in their final World Cup qualifier. Despite the high stakes, McCarthy remains confident that his squad can deliver a strong performance.

He believes that with the progress his players have made and the confidence they’ve built under his guidance, Harambee Stars can stand toe-to-toe with any team in Africa ,including Ivory Coast. For McCarthy, the match represents more than just a qualifier; it’s a chance to prove that Kenyan football talent is not just alive, but ready to shine on the continental stage.