2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers: Is Benni McCarthy already under fire in Kenya? Harambee Stars legend tears into former Bafana Bafana star - 'Succumbing to pressure from fans isn’t that good'

Benni McCarthy has had a difficult start to his tenure as Kenya coach after failing to win his opening two games in charge.

The Harambee Stars first drew 3-3 with Gambia before a 2-1 home loss to Gabon, leaving them fourth in Group F with 10 points fewer than leaders Ivory Coast.

Former Kenya forward Boniface Ambani feels McCarthy was influenced by fans in his selection of the team to start against Gabon.

“In the last match, we played against Gambia. We had scoring chances but we didn’t take them," said Ambani as per People Daily.

"I think Kenya’s Technical Bench and Benni himself succumbed to the pressure of fans. According to me. It would be wise to go with the squad he used against Gambia, and bring in the firepower of the substitutes he used in that match.

“On social media after the Gambia game, everybody was saying the team that played against Gambia in the second half is the team that is supposed to start.

"When I went to the stadium, I saw the same thing, It actually happened. I think succumbing to pressure from fans isn’t that good. You need to know what you want as a coach," the former Harambee Stars striker added.

“The lads however went down fighting in the tie. Benni himself is a striker and I’m 100 per cent sure he knows what he is supposed to do and how to pick it up from here.”

This is McCarthy's first role as coach of a national team having been working with clubs in his previous jobs.

For someone who was a forwards coach at Manchester United, as well as Premier Soccer League experience with Cape Town City and AmaZulu, expectations were high on McCarthy when he arrived in Kenya.

The 47-year-old will be hoping his time in Kenya will not taint his attractive CV.

It remains to be seen if it will be McCarthy who will coach Kenya at the 2024 African Nations Championships in August as Kenya co-hosts this competition with Uganda and Rwanda.

In some countries, head coaches assign their assistants to take care of Chan business.