Gor Mahia midfielder Ben Stanley Omondi says working under new Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has been “magical” and has lifted his self-belief as Kenya gears up for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 qualifiers.
McCarthy, unveiled in March, has wasted little time stamping his personality on the national side. A decorated former striker and attack coach, he brings top–level insight from spells with Ajax, Celta Vigo, Porto, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Orlando Pirates, as well as a stint on the coaching staff at Manchester United. He remains Bafana Bafana’s all‑time leading scorer with 31 international goals pedigree Omondi says commands respect in camp.
“Working with a legend like Benni McCarthy is a nice feeling. When he makes good comments, it’s motivating,” Omondi said. “After training we always get to talk, and since he has been a player before, he watches the game on a different level. It’s good for us to get his experience and correction.”
That one‑to‑one feedback has been particularly valuable for Omondi, who earned his place in Kenya’s provisional CHAN squad and then made the final cut. The midfielder believes the call‑up validates the work he has put in since joining Gor Mahia from Kakamega Homeboyz and gives him the freedom to express himself with greater composure on the ball.
Kenya will sharpen for CHAN through upcoming CECAFA competition, and Omondi feels the mood in camp reflects a group ready to translate McCarthy’s ideas into performances. Fellow squad members have echoed that optimism, targeting a run deep enough to test continental heavyweights such as Morocco.
McCarthy has publicly challenged his forwards, even tipping one emerging prospect as the “next Michael Olunga” — a signal that he sees untapped ceilings across the roster. That sense of opportunity has filtered through midfield, where players like Omondi view CHAN as a launchpad to earn minutes for both country and club.
Omondi is also thinking beyond the window. Buoyed by national‑team confidence, he wants to carry improved decision‑making and aggression back to Gor Mahia next season and help drive a push to reclaim the Kenyan Premier League title.
For now, the midfielder is relishing each session under McCarthy and the opportunity to grow alongside Kenya’s emerging core. If his form tracks his enthusiasm, Omondi could become one of the breakout Kenyan stories of the CHAN cycle.
