Benni McCarthy’s absence from the Harambee Stars’ training session and departure for Turkey ahead of their upcoming international friendlies has raised several questions. As the national team gathered for their first training session at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, McCarthy was notably absent, leaving fans and pundits speculating about the situation.
The friendly matches are scheduled against Senegal on November 18 and Equatorial Guinea on November 14, with both teams facing off in Turkey. Despite expectations that McCarthy would be overseeing the squad’s preparations, his absence during the initial stages of training left many puzzled.
The situation remained unclear until Harambee Stars assistant coach Vasili Manousakis addressed the issue. He explained that McCarthy’s absence was due to complications with his passport renewal process. The coach had faced delays in obtaining his new passport, which meant he couldn’t return to Kenya before the team’s departure. However, Manousakis reassured fans that McCarthy had already resolved the issue and would reunite with the team once they arrived in Turkey.
“The situation was purely administrative,” Manousakis explained. “It was just a passport issue, and Benni is already on his way. It made no sense for him to return to Kenya just to travel with the team. We will meet him in Turkey.”
McCarthy’s commitment to leading the Harambee Stars has not been questioned, despite the administrative hiccup. The coach’s absence has not dampened the spirits of the squad, and the team is still optimistic ahead of the friendlies.
The Harambee Stars are set to kick off their international tour with a match against Equatorial Guinea at the Emir Complex on November 14, before facing Senegal at the Mardan Stadium on November 18. Both fixtures provide crucial opportunities for McCarthy and the team to continue their preparations for future competitions.
The coach’s absence has sparked some concern among fans, but it is expected that he will join the team in Turkey shortly, ensuring that the Harambee Stars are fully prepared for their upcoming challenges.
