Harambee Stars’ memorable win at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has received high praise from their coach, the South African football legend Benni McCarthy, who lauded President William Ruto’s incentive pledge as a “life-changing” move for the players.

Speaking after Kenya’s triumphant outing at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 3, 2025, McCarthy emphasised the power of motivation in tournament football, particularly for local-based players.

“For me, it was all about winning football matches. When you win, you get greatly rewarded,” McCarthy said in an interview after the game. “So I think it was a great initiative from President Ruto to come in and motivate the boys. A huge incentive like that can be life-changing for many of these players.”

Ruto earlier announced hefty cash rewards to motivate the players, pledging Ksh600 million if Kenya wins CHAN 2024 and Ksh1 million per win per player. The pledge appears to have worked wonders, as the team delivered a stunning performance in front of a home crowd, defeating DR Congo 1-0 thanks to a brilliant shot from midfielder Austin Odhiambo.

McCarthy believes the President’s gesture provided an “energy booster” that complemented the players’ hard work and talent.

“These are local-based players who don’t earn the best or biggest salaries,” he noted. “To have something extra to think about gives you motivation. But it still comes down to what you do on the field. If you have talent, if you work hard, the rest will take care of itself.”

Counting collectings one-by-one

The former Bafana Bafana star further stressed that rewards should follow effort and results.

“We worry about winning football matches first, and after, we count our collectings one by one. The process is about trying to win as many games as possible.”

Kenya’s win over DR Congo has sparked renewed optimism in the national team’s future under head coach Benni McCarthy. It also highlights the growing importance of CHAN as a platform for showcasing homegrown talent.

With President Ruto’s financial commitment now expected to be honoured, the spotlight turns to how this morale boost will propel the team through the rest of the tournament.

Kenya’s victory marked a significant milestone in their CHAN journey, as the team made its debut in the continental tournament reserved for home-based players.

Next, Kenya will face Angola on Thursday in what promises to be another tough fixture. DR Congo, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back when they meet Morocco.