Op-ed Words by Wairimu Nyathira i always say “devotion lives in ninety minutes of football. sometimes football feels like a religion.”
When we talk about African football’s renaissance, the spotlight often falls on players. But the real revolution? It’s being led by coaches like Benni McCarthy—South Africa’s Harambee Stars boss, an all-time great striker turned tactician, whose career now bridges African touchlines and the pressure cooker of Manchester United.
As a player, McCarthy reached the summit: a UEFA Champions League winner under José Mourinho at Porto, a scorer on Europe’s grandest stages and what he’s achieved as a coach is even more remarkable. His journey began at Cape Town City, where silverware and tactical innovation earned him respect. At AmaZulu, he defied logic, dragging a mid-table side to their highest-ever finish and a CAF Champions League berth. Then came Manchester United—where his work with strikers resurrected Marcus Rashford’s career, turning him into a 30-goal force in the 2022/23 season.
Now, McCarthy’s trajectory is a blueprint for African coaching. Like Aliou Cissé with Senegal and Walid Regragui with Morocco, he proves that homegrown visionaries can elevate teams beyond their perceived limits. These are men who don’t just drill tactics—they instill belief, turning players into disciples of a shared dream.
Yet while McCarthy’s star rises, Kenya’s coaching carousel spins in place. Too often, we chase quick fixes—foreign hires with glossy CVs or local stopgaps with no long-term vision. The debate shouldn’t be about passports; it should be about philosophy. Can this coach build a system? Inspire a nation? McCarthy’s South Africa tenure answers loudly: Yes.
Take their recent clash against Morocco. Down to ten men, McCarthy’s side didn’t collapse. They fought—organized, relentless, clinical. A 1-0 win wasn’t just a result; it was a manifesto. “We might not have the biggest stars, but what we have is heart,” he said afterward. Social media erupted. Fans called him a savior. Because in Africa, football isn’t just sport—it’s faith.
Kenya’s lesson? Success isn’t imported. It’s cultivated. The Football Kenya Federation’s gamble on McCarthy is a start, but real change demands more: investment in coaching pipelines, patience with long-term projects, and the courage to bet on homegrown minds.
When McCarthy took South Africa’s job, skeptics questioned his pedigree. Now, he’s proof that African coaches, given trust and structure, can stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best. Kenya must choose: keep chasing shortcuts, or build something that lasts.
After all, devotion isn’t measured in transfer windows or press conferences. It lives in ninety minutes. And sometimes like faith it moves mountains.
