Benni McCarthy talks about winning the Manager of the Month award! | OneFootball

The veteran South African is delighted to win this award.

Benni McCarthy talks about winning the Manager of the Month award!

Benni McCarthy, the legendary figure who remains South Africa's most prolific international striker, has broken his silence after receiving a prestigious coaching accolade in Kenya. The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) bestowed upon him the Coach of the Month award for August 2025, a formal recognition of his transformative impact on the national team during the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The honor, presented on Tuesday, the 2nd of September, was a testament to the tactical mastery and inspiring leadership McCarthy displayed throughout the tournament. Under his guidance, the Harambee Stars embarked on their most impressive run in decades, powered by the momentum of co-hosting the event with Tanzania and Uganda.

McCarthy's leadership propelled the team all the way to the quarter-finals, a feat not accomplished since 1987. Their journey culminated in a nail-biting clash against Madagascar that ended in a 1-1 draw, forcing a dramatic penalty shootout. While the eventual 4-3 loss was a heartbreak for the nation, it could not overshadow the historic achievement: this was Kenya's strongest showing in a continental tournament since their silver-medal finish at the 1987 All-Africa Games.

Benni McCarthy talks about winning the award

Upon receiving the accolade, the former Manchester United coach was quick to deflect the praise, framing the award not as a personal triumph but as a testament to a unified effort. He expressed profound gratitude for the honor while steadfastly crediting the collective endeavor behind Kenya's recent success.

"Incredibly grateful to receive this Coach of the Month award," McCarthy stated. "This recognition belongs to the entire Harambee Stars family—a reward for the relentless hard work of my technical team and the unwavering commitment of the players."

He added, "A special note of thanks must go to our incredible fans, whose tremendous support fuels our journey."

With the CHAN chapter now closed, McCarthy and his squad immediately pivot their focus to a formidable new challenge: the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The campaign resumes with a crucial match against Gambia on Friday, September 5th, followed by a fixture against Seychelles just four days later.

The path to the global tournament, however, remains an uphill battle. Finding themselves in fourth place in Group F with a modest haul of six points from six matches, the Harambee Stars have a significant gap to close. They currently trail group leaders Ivory Coast by a daunting ten points, with their immediate position only ahead of Gambia, making every remaining match a critical final.