Sports

Former Man Utd’s winger Elanga hints at coming to watch Harambee Stars

Friday 14th March, 2025 06:41 PM| By Luke Oluoch

Former Manchester United attacker Anthony Elanga has hinted at watching a game of his former coach Benni McCarthy, who now oversees the Kenyan national team Harambee Stars.

The striker now at Nottingham Forest revealed the plans while taking to Instagram on Friday, March 14, 2025, to respond to a post by the South African.

McCarthy is currently leading the Kenyan team through their paces ahead of the World Cup qualifier tie against The Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy during a Kenyan training session. PHOTO?Screengrab by People Daily/@bennimac17/ istagram

Prior to taking up the job, he worked in Erik Ten Hag’s backroom staff as the strikers coach at Old Trafford between 2022 and 2024.

He posted an update on their preparations for the match prompting the response of the EPL striker.

“I need to come to a game,” Elanga’s response read on the social media app.

His reply signalled just how the player has been keeping tabs on the development of his former coach.

He and other Manchester United stars did congratulate their former coach upon his appointment as Harambee Stars coach at start of the month.

The striker joined captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez to praise the coach for his new role.

Priorities

Speaking As he trains his eyes on The Gambia, McCarthy is hopeful that his players will be ready for the clash.

“Our priority is the Gambia match on the 20th for the World Cup qualification. That is our priority.

“Hopefully, we can get a team ready to go out there and fight and bring pride to the Kenyan nation. Then, we build on from there to Gabon, and hopefully, we’re on a good path to fulfilling the ultimate dream,” McCarthy said as quoted by a local publication.

FKF president Hussein Mohamed (left) and South African coach Benni McCarthy exchange signed documents during McCarthy’s unveiling as the new Harambee Stars Head Coach. PHOTO/ RODGERS NDEGWA — FKF president Hussein Mohamed (left) and South African coach Benni McCarthy exchange signed documents during McCarthy’s unveiling as the new Harambee Stars head coach. PHOTO/ Rodgers Ndegwa

McCarthy has overseen his first training session and has promised that his players will work hard during the two qualifiers.

“We’re going to work extremely hard to get this team ready and right so that they can be proud of the players when they put on the Kenyan shirt.

“I think we’re going to give them a team that’s hardworking, that’s fighting, that’s trying to play good football. But most importantly, we’re going to give them a team that wants to win football matches,” he added.