Former Zambia national team coach, Honour Janza, has praised the appointment of Benni McCarthy as the new Harambee Stars head coach, terming it a significant milestone for African football.McCarthy, a South African football legend, officially took over the reins on 3 March during an unveiling ceremony at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.With this appointment, McCarthy became only the third non-Kenyan African coach to lead the national team.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773345##His arrival was warmly received within Kenya and has also garnered admiration beyond its borders.One of the individuals celebrating the decision is Janza, who is now based in the UK. He was part of Zambia’s technical staff when they won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and later managed the team during the 2015 Nations Cup.Speaking to Zambianfootball, Janza emphasized the significance of an African country entrusting an African coach with such a responsibility.”It’s not an easy decision or investment for an African nation to appoint one of its own as head coach,” Janza remarked.Why Gor Mahia and Tusker players snubbed McCarthy’s first Harambee Stars training sessionHe further noted that McCarthy’s appointment sends a powerful global message that African coaches are capable of succeeding on the international stage.“This is a significant step for African football. It shows the world that we have our own who can cross borders and excel at higher levels,” Janza added.He encouraged continued support for such appointments, congratulating McCarthy and urging him to stay focused on the task ahead.McCarthy has already kicked off his duties, naming Harambee Star’ provisional squad that entered camp on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.The two matches are, scheduled for the 20th and 23rd of this month, respectively.McCarthy impressed with quality as he takes charge of first Harambee Stars training sessionHarambee Stars’ provisional squad:Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)Midfielders: Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd), Duke Abuya (Yanga SC), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)Hussein Mohammed backs Wallace Karia’s election to CAF Executive Committee
