New Harambee Stars coach, Benni McCarthy, has outlined his vision of integrating young talent into the national team through collaboration with local coaches.He emphasized that building relationships with FKF Premier League (FKF-PL) coaches will ensure a steady flow of young players into the Harambee Stars squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8754812##The former Bafana Bafana star was officially unveiled on Monday as the new head coach, replacing Engin Firat. McCarthy, who will be supported by an all-South African technical bench, a rare occurrence in Harambee Stars’ history, is optimistic about turning around the fortunes of Kenyan football.His appointment has been well received, with many in the football community hopeful that he can guide Kenya to success, starting with the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in March, where Kenya will face Gabon at home and Gambia away.Benni McCarthy’s tactical revolution: Can he break Kenya’s World Cup curse?On Wednesday, McCarthy attended his first local match, a game between Kariobangi Sharks and defending league champions Gor Mahia at Dandora Stadium. Throughout the match, he was seen taking notes, likely evaluating players he could call up for the March qualifiers.In an interview, McCarthy reiterated his commitment to youth development, stressing that player quality is more important than age. His stance aligns with the needs of Kenyan football, which has been seeking fresh talent in various positions.Cheche confident in Kenya U17’s mission in UgandaTo realize this vision, the former Manchester United forwards coach plans to collaborate closely with local coaches who work with players on a daily basis. He believes that fostering good relationships with FKF Premier League coaches will help him better understand the players, facilitating a smoother transition to the senior national team.“I want to spend a lot of time getting to know the FKF Premier League coaches, so we can have a strong understanding. They work with the players every day, and we need to collaborate to bring up young talent. It’s essential to build a good relationship between national team coaches and local coaches so that young players can grow and one day represent Harambee Stars at the highest level. That’s my approach,” McCarthy told Flashscore.Esse Akida: I am not done yetThe tactician also made it clear that all decisions made by him and his technical team would be based on merit, dismissing any notion of favoritism in his selection process.“I grew up in Africa, so I understand how things work here. I’ve also been educated in Europe, which has given me a broader perspective. But deep down, I know how Africa functions. My goal is to ensure that players understand that success comes from hard work and dedication to their goals,” he added.The UEFA Champions League winner is expected to attend Mozzart Bet Cup games over the weekend as he continues to familiarize himself with the local football scene.First Benni McCarthy call up?
