Benni McCarthy: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Past Thoughts on Harambee Stars Coach Emerge
- Cristiano Ronaldo's past views on Benni McCarthy have resurfaced amid his immediate impact at Harambee Stars
- McCarthy has already taken Kenya to the quarter-finals of CHAN 2024 and could do so as group winners
- The South African tactician worked with Ronaldo at Manchester United, where he worked as one of Erik ten Hag's assistants
Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with TUKO. Enroll Now!
Benni McCarthy has become an overnight darling of Kenyan football fans as he continues to do wonders with the men's national team.
Source: UGC
Harambee Stars have already qualified for the African Nations Championships (CHAN) quarter-finals despite being in the 'Group of Death'.
Not many gave them a chance when they were pooled against two two-time winners in Morocco and DR Congo, Angola and Zambia, but Kenya will have a chance to top the group when they play Zambia on Sunday.
McCarthy, who was appointed in early March, took a while before he got his first competitive win. He drew against The Gambia before losing to Gabon in World Cup qualifiers.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
He won his first game against Chad in an international friendly but had to wait until the DR Congo game to get his first win in a competitive match.
The South African tactician is arguably one of the Harambee Stars' coaches with a decorated career both as a player and as a coach.
Kenya was his first national team posting, having previously worked at Manchester United, where he trained forwards under Erik ten Hag.
What does Cristiano Ronaldo think of Benni McCarthy?
A confessed Manchester United fan, he never got the chance to play for them, but got the opportunity later in life to work with strikers like Cristiano Ronaldo.
A previous report by Mail Sport indicates that Ronaldo was impressed by McCarthy, who took it upon himself to have extra shooting sessions with the players after being asked by Bruno Fernandes.
"McCarthy's sessions have proved popular, with Christian Eriksen quick to join in. When Cristiano Ronaldo and new signing Lisandro Martinez found out, they were also quick to get involved," read a part of the report.
Source: Getty Images
McCarthy drops Ronaldo quote ahead of Zambia clash
Speaking ahead of Kenya's last group-stage game at CHAN, McCarthy shared one of Ronaldo's quotes as he looks to lead his troops to a win.
"I don't chase history, like Cristiano Ronaldo said, 'You put in the work, then history chases you.'"
Harambee Stars need to beat Zambia, or hope Morocco and DR Congo draw in the other game, for them to play their quarter-final match in Nairobi.
Angola coach sends message to Benni McCarthy
In a separate report, Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves sent a message to McCarthy following their elimination from CHAN 2024.
Angola were eliminated after losing to DR Congo 2-0 on Thursday. This follows their draw against Kenya and loss to Morocco. Their only win came against Zambia.
The Palancas Negras came into the tournament as one of the dark horses but failed to live up to that reputation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
