Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up about a major challenge affecting his work with the national team, revealing that he does not remain in the country between international assignments because of unresolved work-permit issues within his technical staff.
The former Bafana Bafana striker says members of his backroom team who are based overseas still do not have the necessary permits to work in Kenya.
According to McCarthy, the issue has remained unresolved for around 18 months, despite discussions with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
McCarthy: “I have no legal reason to stay”
McCarthy explained that he returns to South Africa once his work with Kenya is completed because he does not want to risk breaching Kenyan immigration regulations.
“We sat with the federation about this issue because, for me, that’s the biggest issue,” McCarthy told the media in Kenya.
The coach said the situation has become increasingly frustrating, particularly because he claims the federation initially assured him that the necessary paperwork was being addressed.
McCarthy said he has also become conscious of Kenya’s approach to immigration enforcement and does not want to put himself in a position where his legal status could be questioned.
“So, I come here, do my job, and when my job is finished, I get out because I have no legal reason to stay.”
Technical staff forced to work around the situation
The work-permit issue also affects how McCarthy and his coaching staff operate between international windows.
The coach has not had the opportunity to regularly attend domestic matches in Kenya to scout players in person. Instead, he has had to rely heavily on members of his technical team and their assessment of potential national-team selections.
McCarthy indicated that the situation has made his job more complicated, particularly when it comes to monitoring players outside international camps.
He believes the matter should have been resolved much earlier.
Kenya preparing for AFCON qualification
The timing of the issue is significant, with Kenya preparing for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Harambee Stars are scheduled to face Eritrea in their opening qualifier before meeting Guinea.
McCarthy will therefore be hoping the administrative difficulties surrounding his coaching staff do not become a distraction as Kenya begin their qualification campaign.
For the former Manchester United and Bafana Bafana striker, however, the message is clear: he wants the appropriate legal documentation in place so that he and his staff can carry out their work without concerns over their immigration status.
What does this mean for Kenya?
The unresolved permit situation raises questions about how McCarthy’s staff can effectively monitor domestic talent and prepare the national team between international windows.
With AFCON qualification approaching, Kenya will need McCarthy and his technical team to focus fully on their preparations.
Whether the FKF can finally resolve the work-permit issue could therefore become an important factor in how the coaching staff operates during the campaign.
