Ex-Chelsea star Obi Mikel tips Benni McCarthy to turn around Harambee Stars fortunes

Former Chelsea and Nigeria Midfielder John Obi Mikel has tipped Harambee Stars tactician Benni McCarthy to restore the national team’s lost glory.

The midfield maestro, who spent more than a decade with English Premier League side Chelsea (2006-2017), said McCarthy is a qualified coach who will develop Kenyan football talents.

 “I think Benni has got a good job, I think after the skills that I have seen in Kenya, there is no question that the senior team is going to have a lot of talent, he is going to have a good team, he is going to inherit a good team and I wish him all the best,” he said.

Mikel, is in Nairobi, for a visit organised by London-based Africa Cultural Enterprise in collaboration with E-Sports platform Afrigame.

Speaking to Citizen Digital at Rusinga School in Kawangware where he attended a football clinic on Saturday, Mikel said that Harambee Stars makes life difficult for their opponents whenever they are in competition, arguing that Kenya is set to grow and become a footballing giant in the continent.

“I also wish the Kenya national team all the best as they continue to grow, and continue to develop, for me it is always nice when Kenya is in a tournament, it is always a good tournament to watch, so for me I hope the Kenya national team continues to grow."

The 47-year-old former South Africa striker took up the vacant role in Kenya on March 4, 2025.

Since his appointment, McCarthy, who previously worked as head coach of South African Premier Division team AmaZulu, and as assistant coach at Manchester United, has overseen two matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers played in March.

During the Group F matches, Kenya produced a great comeback to draw 3-3 against Gambia in match day five at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory before returning home to suffer a 2-1 defeat against Gabon at Nyayo Stadium.

McCarthy’s next assignment for Kenya will be two World Cup qualifying matches against Gambia and Seychelles in Nairobi in September. Kenya is currently sitting fourth in the group with six points from six matches. Ivory Coast are topping with 16 points, Gabon are second with 15 points, while Burundi are third with 10 points.

“I know Benni, he is a good guy, he is a good coach, and I wish him all the best, I hope he develops the national team and also gets the opportunity to watch the academy kids, the kids are always the next big fame, hopefully the next Messi, the next John Obi Mikel, the next Cristiano Ronaldo, will come out of here one day.”