Mayoyo warns delay to name Harambee Stars coach will hurt CHAN preps

Stars have been without a substantive coach since the resignation of Turkish Engin Firat last year, with Francis Kimanzi serving as the interim coach before he takes over as the federation's technical director.

“It is very important to have a coach in place because we need proper preparations for the World Cup qualifiers and CHAN.

“This country has coaches who can handle the national team instead of going for a foreign coach who will need time to understand players. I recommend that FKF should just hire a coach who understand the local league with CHAN in mind,” said the St. Anthony Kitale School coach.

Former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy has been heavily linked to the Harambee Stars job.

McCarthy, 47, worked at Manchester United between 2022 and 2024 under Erik ten Hag, serving as an attacking coach for two seasons before leaving in July.

Before his stint at Old Trafford, he managed Cape Town City between 2017 and 2019, and took charge of AmaZulu from 2020 to 2022.

Mayoyo also hailed the decision by FKF and KPL clubs to end the current season of the league early so as to allow Harambee Stars have enough time to prepare for CHAN.

“That was positive because it will allow the team selected for CHAN to have enough time for preparation hence having the time to choose the best team to represent the country in the competition,” he added.

The championship, which is for domestic-based players, was postponed from February to run from August 2 to 30 and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.