Former Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza says the appointment of South African legend Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars mentor is a progressive development in African football.
Janza said from his UK base that it takes a lot of layers of approval for a coach to be appointed to manage a national team.
“It’s not an easy decision and investment for an African nation to appoint an African coach.
“For that move and appointment, it must go with kudos from us African coaches. This is a bigger step that Africa is showing to the world that we have our own that can cross borders and take charge in a bigger platform.
“We need to encourage such. Congratulations to Benni. Stay focused,” he said.
Janza was Chipolopolo assistant coach when Zambia won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and also guided Chipolopolo to the 2015 Nations Cup.
He has previously served as FAZ technical director and also coached Tanzania national team in an interim position.
Meanwhile, McCarthy has unveiled his first Harambee Stars squad, selecting a mix of experienced internationals and fresh talent for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.
Kenya’s Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Midfielders: Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd), Duke Abuya (Yanga SC), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)
Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)
[Augustine Mukoka]
I think Kamanga has been shown how things are done and taken care of. It’s time he should have realised that taking things for granted is suicidal. And by the way this is what he should expect at the FAZ AGM in Livingstone on 29 th of March. The best he could have done is withdrawing from the race and remain with his little dignity the football family has left him with. Kamanga read between the lines. Don’t behave like an Ostrich hiding the head in the sand. The owners of the game has disowned you (fans, soccer lovers, people of Zambia,etc, etc.). I’ll not mention the other players least you missunderstand me with interference. But remember once you are on your own your artificial friend will be busy with more important business to do other than sympasizing with you. You are a Zambian, so behave like one. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.