Benni McCarthy wins Betika/SJAK August Coach of the Month award
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has been named the Betika/SJAK Coach of the Month for August, becoming the latest foreign tactician to lift the coveted prize.
The South African football legend guided Kenya to their first quarterfinal appearance in a continental competition in 38 years, a run that impressed fans and officials alike.
McCarthy is the third foreign coach to claim the monthly award this year after his compatriot Carlos Katywa of Kabras Sugar RFC in April and Burundi’s Etienne Ndayiragije of Kenya Police FC in June.
McCarthy, who remains the only South African footballer to have won the UEFA Champions League—doing so with Porto in 2004—oversaw a historic campaign where Kenya overcame two-time champions Morocco 1-0 for the first time ever.
Stars also stunned 2016 winners DR Congo and Zambia by identical 1-0 scorelines before drawing 1-1 with Angola to top their group.
In the quarterfinals, Kenya battled to a 1-1 draw with Madagascar before bowing out 4-3 in a penalty shootout. It marked the furthest Kenya had gone in a continental competition since the 1987 All Africa Games in Nairobi, when the hosts lost 1-0 to Egypt in the final.
“When you top a group where you’re pooled with Morocco, DRC, Angola and Zambia, you count your blessings,” McCarthy said after receiving his award.
“Unfortunately, the game we thought we could win became a mission impossible. But there is a lot of talent in this country. Hopefully we will be able to nurture them and grow.”
For his efforts, McCarthy received a personalized trophy and a cash prize of Sh100,000 from Betika.
Betika’s Head of Marketing Japheth Akhulia praised McCarthy for steering Harambee Stars to new heights. “The beauty of sports is its ability to unite the people. At Betika, we join other Kenyans in appreciating the impact McCarthy has had. This award continues to recognize excellence and aligns with our vision of making people’s lives more enjoyable by supporting those who nurture talent,” said Akhulia.
The award also highlighted the stiff competition among Kenyan coaches in August. McCarthy edged out Strathmore Leos rugby sevens tactician William Ojal, Malkia Strikers head coach Geoffrey Omondi—who guided the team to their first-ever FIVB World Championship win over Vietnam—women’s volleyball U-20 coach Jackline Barasa, who led her side to the African title against Cameroon, and Nelson Jaika, who inspired St. Peter’s Boys High, Mumias to the national rugby sevens title.
Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) President James Waindi lauded the ongoing partnership with Betika, saying it helps shine a spotlight on coaches who are often overlooked. “Behind every successful team is a tactically astute coach, and McCarthy has been quite an inspiration to the Harambee Stars playing unit,” Waindi said.
McCarthy’s illustrious playing career saw him turn out for clubs including Ajax, Porto, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Orlando Pirates and Celta Vigo. He also had stints in management with Cape Town City, AmaZulu, and most recently as a first-team coach at Manchester United before moving to Kenya.
The 46-year-old is South Africa’s all-time top scorer with 31 international goals and was the joint top scorer at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations with seven goals.
Now, McCarthy is winning hearts in Kenya as he writes a new chapter with Harambee Stars.