Brian Mandela in jersey number 5. Photo Credit - FKF Media.
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has welcomed the decision by new Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy to recalls defender Brian Mandela for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in March.
Harambee Stars will take on Gambia and Gabon in their Group F fixtures away in Ivory Coast and Kenya respectively. Ahead of the decisive matches, coach McCarthy, while naming his first-ever squad, handed Mandela a recall to he final team.
The 30-year-old had last donned Kenya’s colours during a friendly fixture against Russia on October 16, 2023. During the match at the Mardan Sports Complex, Mandela came on as a substitute and was yellow carded as Kenya went on to hold Russia 2-2.
“I think Benni has done the right thing, Brian offers character and leadership. He is one of the best humans I have ever worked with,” Barker told the media as quoted by idiskitimes. “I think he plays with his heart on his sleeves, the way he encourages players, the way he speaks with the young players.
“I think as a national team player to have him back in the fold, I think, adds that. Plus, sometimes in Africa, World Cup qualifiers you need a bit of aerial strength, strong defender at the back, from a football point of view he is calm, he doesn’t give the ball away obviously a little bit older, lack of pace maybe on the continent certain games.
“The main reason that he will benefit the team is the person that he is.”
Having started his career at Kenyan Premier League outfit Posta Rangers before moving to Tusker, Mandela finally landed in South Africa where he signed for Santos in 2012. He left Santos to join Maritzburg United in 2015 and later attracted the attention of Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns, whom he joined in 2020.
He managed 34 appearances for Sundowns in all competitions and scored one goal before he transferred to the Stellies in 2024. He has managed four PSL matches at Stellenbosch but is yet to score a goal.
Comments