Benni McCarthy Reveals He Is Still Owed Salaries By Kenya Ahead Of Bafana Bafana Clash

Benni McCarthy is preparing to face his home country with an unresolved payment dispute casting a shadow over his time as Kenya head coach.

The former Bafana Bafana striker has revealed that he and his technical team have not received their salaries and allowances for several international camps, despite continuing to work with the Harambee Stars.

His disclosure comes ahead of Kenya’s two-match encounter against South Africa, beginning at Orlando Stadium on Friday before the return fixture in Nairobi on November 17.

Also Read: “We Won’t Lose 8-0”: Benni McCarthy Fires Warning Ahead of Bafana Bafana Showdown

McCarthy’s Unpaid Dues Remain Outstanding

McCarthy says the payment dispute has affected both the players and the technical team, with outstanding salaries, bonuses and allowances for three or four international camps creating frustration within the Kenyan squad.

Speaking to SportyTV, he explained that the players had become reluctant to train and play until their outstanding payments were settled.

“It is unfair and not right, that is why the players came together and said that until they were paid what they were owed they were reluctant to train and play matches. We had one training session and we had to convince the players to train,” he said.

Although some players eventually started receiving their allowances during the team’s trip to Guinea, McCarthy revealed that the coaching staff had not received anything.

“The coach and technical staff have still got nothing,” he said.

The coach insisted that he would not allow the dispute to prevent Kenya from honouring its international commitments.

“We would not allow the players to not play. I have never allowed that in my career,” McCarthy said.

He also called on the Kenyan authorities to settle the outstanding payments, warning that FIFA and CAF could intervene in such disputes.

McCarthy Defends Kenya’s Performances Despite Disrupted Preparations

Kenya collected just one point from their opening two Group D qualifiers, drawing 1-1 against Eritrea before suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Guinea.

However, McCarthy believes the circumstances surrounding the team’s preparations affected their performances, particularly the home encounter against Eritrea.

He pointed out that the Harambee Stars had barely trained before the match but still created numerous opportunities to secure victory.

“We did really well for a team that hadn’t trained,” he said.

“We didn’t win, we got a draw, but we missed ten or 15 golden opportunities to win the game.”

McCarthy maintained that his responsibility was to improve Kenyan football despite the challenges facing the team.

“At the end of the day it is our job to … leave Kenya in a better position than we found them. We will strive for that and … the authorities will have to come good and pay, because Fifa and CAF will intervene in these situations. We are professional enough to go out and do our jobs,” he said.

Kenya Face Bafana Bafana In Two Qualifiers

The payment controversy comes as McCarthy prepares his side for two meetings with South Africa in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Bafana currently lead Group D, sitting five points ahead of Kenya, who have managed just one point from their opening two matches.

However, Kenya’s position in the standings does not threaten their participation in the tournament because they are among the co-hosts and have automatic qualification.

The upcoming matches will nevertheless give McCarthy an opportunity to test his team against South Africa, with the first encounter scheduled for Orlando Stadium before the teams meet again in Nairobi on November 17.