Harambee Stars head coach Benny McCarthy has defended his squad selection for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), hitting back at fans unhappy with the omission of certain players. The tournament, which kicks off on August 2, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
McCarthy, appointed to lead the national team earlier this year, emphasized that he is not in the job to please everyone but to deliver success.
“You can’t please everyone, and I am not here to please people. I am here to bring success to this country,” McCarthy stated firmly. “The players we have selected are those we have observed and worked with in camp.”
Unlike other international competitions, CHAN is unique in that it only allows players who are active in their country’s domestic leagues. This restriction has limited McCarthy’s pool of players and intensified public scrutiny of his final squad.
“This tournament is quite different from others like World Cup qualifiers because it only involves local players. The selected players are those whose qualities we have seen and who we believe can take the team forward,” he explained.
Some fans have taken to social media to question the omission of high-performing players from their favourite clubs. But McCarthy urged supporters to look beyond isolated performances and consider the importance of consistency and team dynamics.
“I know talent when I see it, and the players we have chosen are the ones I believe can deliver great results,” he added. “We are not here to simply participate but to make a statement and get the desired outcomes.”
McCarthy remains confident in the squad’s ability to perform, stating, “I know the boys I have are capable of taking this team where it should be.”
The CHAN tournament will begin with hosts Tanzania taking on Burkina Faso in the opening match on August 2. Kenya’s Harambee Stars are set to play their first game against DR Congo on August 3 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
With expectations running high, McCarthy’s leadership and his handpicked squad will be closely watched as they aim to leave a mark on home soil.
