Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy heads into Tuesday’s friendly against Chad knowing that only a win will suffice. With the disappointment of Saturday’s goalless draw still fresh in the minds of fans and players alike, the pressure is rapidly increasing on the South African tactician to deliver results.
This will be McCarthy’s fourth game in charge of the Kenyan national team, and while there have been glimpses of improvement, the lack of victories is beginning to concern fans. A 3-3 draw against The Gambia and a 2-1 home defeat to Gabon were followed by the recent stalemate against Chad, a team ranked 177th in the world. Expectations are growing, and anything less than a win against the same opposition would be seen as a step backwards.
The match on Saturday exposed Kenya’s key weakness inefficiency in front of goal. Despite dominating possession and creating a number of chances, the team failed to convert, leaving McCarthy visibly frustrated. He openly criticised his players’ inability to break down a defensively solid but limited Chad side. The upcoming fixture, therefore, presents a crucial test not just for the players but for the head coach’s tactical approach and squad selection.
McCarthy opted for a mix of experienced campaigners and promising young talent in the first match, but he will need to fine-tune his lineup to ensure greater cohesion and more clinical finishing. Players such as Boniface Muchiri, who was a livewire on the left flank, showed potential, while William Lenkupae got into good positions but lacked composure when it mattered most. These are areas the technical bench must urgently address.
Chad, despite their poor form over the past few years, proved resilient and organised. Their lone win in their last 14 matches suggests they are beatable, but they succeeded in frustrating Kenya with a deep defensive line and counter-attacking strategy. Kenya must find ways to be more incisive and less wasteful, especially when playing against sides who are content to sit back and absorb pressure.
The silver lining for McCarthy is that his team is not short of creativity. The build-up play, movement off the ball, and general tempo have all improved, a sign that the players are buying into his philosophy. However, that improvement will mean little if the final product is lacking. Football is ultimately a results-driven business, and even the most attractive football cannot substitute for goals and victories.
This match also serves as a chance to silence early critics and build momentum ahead of upcoming African Nations qualifiers. A win would boost confidence among players, foster belief in the system McCarthy is implementing, and bring supporters back onside. The noise around his tenure is already starting to grow louder, and the only way to quieten it is through results.
With patience wearing thin and expectations rising, McCarthy must prove that he can not only improve performances but also translate them into wins. Kenya cannot afford another slip-up, and anything less than three points against Chad would raise serious questions about the direction of the team under his stewardship.
Tuesday’s fixture may be labelled a friendly, but for Benni McCarthy and his Harambee Stars, the stakes are much higher.
