In a display of tactical discipline, the Harambee Stars, led by new head coach Benni McCarthy, secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco.
The win marks a significant moment for the team, showcasing their resilience after a crucial player was sent off early in the match.
The defining moment came in the first half when midfielder Crispine Erambo received a straight red card following a VAR review.
The dismissal left the Harambee Stars with just 10 men for the majority of the game.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the team held firm, defending with a strategic focus that appeared to be a hallmark of McCarthy's coaching style.
But who is he?
Benedict "Benni" Saul McCarthy is a South African professional football coach and former player.
He is widely considered one of South Africa's greatest football legends.
McCarthy, who is also the UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto, recently took over the reins of Kenya's national team.
His appointment followed a successful stint as a first-team coach at Manchester United.
His experience under Jose Mourinho, a renowned tactical mastermind is a major influence on his coaching philosophy.
McCarthy first encountered Mourinho at FC Porto, where he had just assumed his managerial role in 2002.
It was under Mourinho’s guidance that McCarthy says he discovered his passion for coaching.
That mentor, mentee connection continued as McCarthy began his own coaching career in South Africa, with Mourinho continuing to check in on him.
According to him, Mourinho’s methods his player-centered approach, his use of passion to motivate, and his champion’s mindset and now applies these lessons in shaping his own coaching philosophy with the Harambee Stars.
As a player, McCarthy was a prolific striker who holds the record as the South Africa national team's all-time top scorer with 31 goals.
He had a successful career in Europe, playing for several prominent clubs including Ajax, Netherlands and he won the Eredivisie title and two KNVB Cups, FC Porto (Portugal) where he was an integral part of Jose Mourinho's Porto team that famously won the UEFA Champions League in 2004.
McCarthy is the only South African to have won this prestigious European trophy.
He also played for Blackburn Rovers (England) and had successful spell in the Premier League, where he was a top goalscorer for the club.
McCarthy played for the Orlando Pirates (South Africa), finishing his playing career back in his home country, winning the league title with Orlando Pirates.
Benni McCarthy is currently the head coach of the Harambee Stars, Kenya's national football team.
This is his first role as a national team manager, was unveiled as the coach in March 2025 and has a contract through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host.
Before taking on the Harambee Stars role, McCarthy was the first-team coach at Premier League club Manchester United under manager Erik ten Hag.
He also held managerial positions at South African clubs Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
