Benni McCarthy’s future with Harambee Stars has once again become a topic of speculation following reports that another major South African football club is poised to part ways with their current manager. McCarthy, who has been in charge of Kenya’s national football team, is now being linked with a potential return to South Africa as a top-tier coaching role becomes available.
Just a month ago, McCarthy was rumored to be among the candidates for the vacant Orlando Pirates coaching position. Spanish coach Jose Riveiro was expected to depart at the end of the current season, leaving the role open for a new appointment. However, despite these initial speculations, the situation at Pirates has remained unclear as the club has not yet officially named a successor to Riveiro.
Adding fuel to the fire, South African media recently reported that Kaizer Chiefs, one of the country’s most successful and popular football clubs, is also preparing to part ways with their current coach, Nasreddine Nabi. Despite Nabi guiding Chiefs to a Nedbank Cup victory over Orlando Pirates, bringing an end to a decade-long trophy drought, the club’s management is reportedly dissatisfied with his overall performance. Chiefs have been struggling in the league, currently sitting in ninth place, and have endured a disappointing seven-match winless streak in the South African Premier Division. This poor form has raised concerns within the club, which had high expectations when Nabi was hired.
Nabi’s appointment was met with optimism, as he arrived with an impressive track record. Before taking charge at Chiefs, Nabi had enjoyed success with Yanga SC in Tanzania, leading the team to back-to-back league titles and a CAF Confederation Cup final. Additionally, he had narrowly missed out on the Moroccan league title with AS FAR, falling short by just a point. Despite these credentials, Chiefs’ current league struggles have put his position under scrutiny.
As Chiefs weigh the possibility of parting ways with Nabi, McCarthy’s name has once again surfaced as a potential replacement. Known for his success at Cape Town City and AmaZulu, McCarthy has built a reputation for fostering attacking football and developing young talent—traits that are reportedly in high demand at Chiefs. His time at AmaZulu, where he led the club to unprecedented heights, has made him a sought-after figure in South African football.
McCarthy’s coaching philosophy aligns with the style that Kaizer Chiefs is reportedly seeking. With his deep understanding of South African football, McCarthy’s ability to nurture young players and implement an exciting brand of attacking football makes him a prime candidate for the job. Chiefs’ desire for a manager who can inspire both immediate success and long-term growth fits McCarthy’s skillset perfectly.
However, the situation remains complex. While McCarthy has enjoyed a promising start with Harambee Stars, reports suggest that he could consider cutting short his stint with the national team in favor of a move back to South Africa. Whether McCarthy will leave Kenya so soon after his appointment is uncertain. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates would be willing to pay the significant compensation required to release him from his contract with Football Kenya Federation.
At this stage, much of the speculation about McCarthy’s future remains unconfirmed. The possibility of an exit clause in his contract that could allow him to leave for a bigger job is unknown, as many top-level coaches include such clauses in their agreements. Regardless of whether McCarthy remains with Harambee Stars or takes up a new challenge in South Africa, it is clear that his name will continue to be linked with some of Africa’s biggest clubs as they look for new managerial leadership.
