Benni McCarthy, the coach of Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, is shaking things up.

He believes that talent alone isn’t enough to secure a spot on the team; players must also show discipline and work hard.

This no-nonsense approach is based on his own experience as a legendary player who won the Champions League and became South Africa’s top scorer.

Following a recent loss that ended Kenya’s World Cup dreams, McCarthy is using the final matches to teach his players about professionalism and consistency.

The message is clear: the only way for the team to improve and find future success is for every player to step up and prove their commitment.

Benni McCarthy, the head coach of the Kenya national football team, is demanding a fundamental shift in attitude from local players. 

Ahead of a pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifier against Seychelles, the South African manager made it clear that while talent is a start, it’s a player’s discipline and work ethic that will ultimately earn them a spot on the national team. 

His remarks come after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Gambia, a result that eliminated Kenya from contention for the tournament in North America next year.

McCarthy’s philosophy is rooted in his own career. 

The former striker, now 47, rose from a young talent at South African clubs like Seven Stars and Ajax Cape Town to a European champion. 

He won the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004, a pinnacle achievement for any player. 

He is also South Africa’s all-time leading goal scorer, with 31 goals in 80 appearances for the national team, “Bafana Bafana.” 

His career journey, which included stints at Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United as a first-team coach, has shaped his no-nonsense approach to management.

Since taking over the Harambee Stars in early 2025, McCarthy has not been afraid to make tough decisions. 

He has dropped popular players and even suspended deputy captain Aboud Omar for disciplinary reasons just before a crucial match. 

McCarthy explained, “Talent may open the door, but without discipline and work ethic, that’s as far as you’ll go. You might shine in the Kenya Premier League, but beyond that, no one will take notice, and that’s the truth.” 

He believes that for the team to achieve its goals, players must embrace a culture of consistency and dedication.

While the dream of qualifying for the World Cup is over, the remaining matches, including the one against Seychelles, are an opportunity to restore pride and build for the future. 

After the home loss to Gambia, which dropped Kenya to fifth in Group F, McCarthy’s assistant, Vasili Manousakis, stressed the importance of learning from their mistakes. 

“We have done a post-match analysis and reflected on ourselves. It’s less about what Gambia did and more about what we did right and where we fell short,” Manousakis said, highlighting the team’s individual errors that led to conceding goals.

The upcoming match against Seychelles, a team at the bottom of the group with zero points and a goal difference of -32, is a prime opportunity for Kenya to bounce back. 

Historically, Kenya has dominated this matchup, winning all four prior meetings since 2011, including a 5-0 victory in 2023. 

The team will be looking to secure a decisive victory to improve its FIFA ranking and lay the groundwork for upcoming tournaments like the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The message from the coaching staff is clear: step up now, or don’t expect a place in the future.