Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has expressed confidence in his team’s performance during his first two matches in charge, despite failing to win either of them. Having been appointed head coach on March 3, McCarthy only had a brief period to prepare his squad before their opening games. In just 17 days, he guided the team to a 3-3 draw against The Gambia, followed by a 2-1 home loss to Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Though the results weren’t favorable, McCarthy believes the team still exceeded expectations.
McCarthy emphasized that the short time he had to prepare the team made their performances even more impressive. With just two days of training and three sessions in total, the Harambee Stars faced opponents who were not only more experienced but also had a better understanding of each other’s style of play. McCarthy praised The Gambia, describing them as a very well-organized and offensive team, one that had been together for a longer period than the Kenyan squad. The Gambia’s cohesive structure posed a significant challenge, but McCarthy felt his players handled the situation admirably.
The South African coach noted the bravery and determination of his players, highlighting their hard work and desire to perform under pressure. While the team was not yet fully in sync, McCarthy observed that they showed qualities he believes are fundamental for any successful squad: courage, discipline, and the willingness to learn from their mistakes. He noted that, despite the loss to Gabon, the players’ performance demonstrated their potential. Although mistakes cost them against both teams, McCarthy is confident that, with more time and preparation, the team will continue to improve and avoid similar errors in the future.
In discussing the Gabon match, McCarthy pointed out the added challenges of traveling and limited training time. After traveling back from Ivory Coast, the team only had one training session before facing Gabon at home. Despite this, McCarthy was moved by the warm reception the team received from fans and emphasized the importance of the support they received. However, Gabon, who are on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, brought their strongest squad, and McCarthy felt the game could have been won if the team had capitalized on the opportunities they created.
McCarthy is optimistic about the future of the team. He believes that with more time to train and develop a deeper understanding of his players’ strengths and weaknesses, they will soon reach their full potential. His goal is to build a team that plays with a lot of heart and courage, and one that opponents will find difficult to face. The experience gained from the first two matches will be invaluable as the team moves forward under his guidance.
Looking ahead, McCarthy’s focus is now on the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) in 2024, where Kenya will co-host the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania. This competition presents an opportunity for the Harambee Stars to showcase their progress and make a statement on home soil. McCarthy has expressed confidence that, with more preparation and fine-tuning, the team will continue to evolve and aim for near-perfection in their next fixtures. The coach’s commitment to improving the team’s performance and his belief in their potential suggest that Kenya could be on the brink of an exciting era under his leadership.
