){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
BAN
){kind=small}
POR
){kind=small}
NAC
){kind=small}
MAU
){kind=small}
SOF
){kind=small}
BID
){kind=small}
MUR
){kind=small}
FCT
){kind=small}
KAK
){kind=small}
TUF
){kind=small}
AFC
){kind=small}
KCB
){kind=small}
GOM
){kind=small}
POL
){kind=small}
SHA
){kind=small}
ULS
){kind=small}
KAS
){kind=small}
MSU
){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
LIV
){kind=small}
BOU
){kind=small}
AVL
){kind=logo}
NEW
){kind=logo}
BHA
){kind=logo}
FUL
){kind=logo}
NFO
){kind=small}
BRE
){kind=logo}
SUN
){kind=small}
WHU
){kind=logo}
TOT
){kind=small}
BUR
){kind=logo}
WOL
){kind=small}
MCI
){kind=logo}
CHE
){kind=small}
CRY
){kind=logo}
MUN
){kind=small}
ARS
){kind=logo}
LEE
){kind=logo}
EVE
)
Benni McCarthy gave the former Newcastle United left-footed right winger his debut during the side's 0-0 draw with Chad last Saturday.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has defended his reasons for including William Lenkupae Wilson in his squad for the two back-to-back friendly games against Chad in Morocco.
McCarthy gave both players starts during the first friendly that was held on Saturday (June 7), with both sides sharing the spoils after Kenya had largely dominated the game but missed a lot of chances to bury the game.
McCarthy, who picked a core of mostly local-based players for the friendlies with a bigger eye on preparing the team for the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) this August, had understandably dropped some heavy-hitters like Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma and Michael Olunga.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
)
05:44 - 10.06.2025
Kenya vs Chad: Harambee Stars with No Margin for Error as Pressure Begins to Mount on Benni McCarthy
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will have to get his tactics and selection spot on when his team plays minnows Chad in their second friendly match on Tuesday.
However, he still called up some foreign based players on the periphery of the squad who are looking to cement their place into the manager’s thinking over the long-term, with Wilson-a former Newcastle United player - and William Lenkupae Wilson of Central Coast Mariners in the squad.
Wilson featured as an inverted right winger who cut inside on his left foot, and he stretched the defence while testing the keeper with a couple of attempts, while Lenkupae, who scored on his debut against Gambia in March, made some threatening runs from deep but was also culpable for missing a couple of open chances during the game.
McCarthy: Why I Called Up William Lenkupae And Adam Wilson
)
Speaking to FKF Media ahead of the second friendly on Tuesday evening, McCarthy clarified his strategy, stressing that it was necessary to give such players a run during this international window.
“The balance is good, I think. These are the kind of games where you want to assess certain players,” McCarthy said. “I wanted to see what Adam is capable of. I can’t wait for World Cup qualifiers to call him up and not know what he brings to the table.”
)
21:29 - 08.06.2025
Austin Odhiambo: 3 Potential Destinations for Gor Mahia’s Midfield Maestro
Gor Mahia's midfield star Austin Odhiambo has previously attracted transfer interest and will likely spark again as the season culminates.
He emphasized that the friendlies provided an ideal platform to evaluate talent like Wilson before making critical selections for more competitive fixtures down the line.
“These two friendlies were a perfect opportunity to give him a chance and evaluate his qualities. Now, moving forward, I’ve seen him, and I know what he offers. So, when we prepare for AFCON or World Cup qualifiers, he becomes a genuine option.”
McCarthy also criticized the idea of calling up foreign-based players based solely on reputation or second-hand recommendations.
“If I haven’t seen him, and someone simply says, ‘Oh, there’s a good player in the UK playing in Wales,’ I can’t just call him up for an important international match. That, to me, would be foolish,” he noted.
The former Bafana Bafana striker explained that while his current focus is CHAN, the international break offered a rare chance to blend foreign-based fringe players with local talents, giving him a broader base to select from in the future.
“Once this break ends, the players go back to their clubs. Then I’ll have about a month to work with local players, but I won’t get the chance to see guys like Adam Wilson and William Lenkupae again. That’s the reasoning behind calling them up, and honestly, I’d do it again — every single time if I had the chance.”
)
12:45 - 09.06.2025
Wolves Line Up Man City-Bound Rayan Ait-Nouri Replacement With Exciting Harambee Stars Prospect Valued At 1.2 Billion
Wolves are looking to replace Man City-headed Rayan Ait-Nouri with the Danish-born Kenyan flanker, whose move to Brighton last February failed to materialise.
McCarthy: We Need to Be More Efficient Infront of Goal
Addressing the team’s attacking inefficiency in front of goal during the first friendly, McCarthy admitted it’s an area of concern but one they are actively working on.
“International football is a different level. One area where we lacked was composure in front of goal. In international games, you don’t get many chances — maybe two or three. You have to bury them, and then the game is over.”
He also praised the way young players have integrated into the squad, saying he’s doing his part to ensure they feel welcomed and relaxed.
“I always encourage the players to feel free and at home. I was helped when I was young, so now it’s my turn to help the younger ones. They’re adjusting well, they feel welcome, and they’re not under pressure. You know how we are in Kenya — we’re loving people. Once they feel that, then they can just play their game.”
As McCarthy continues to mold the squad ahead of CHAN and future qualifiers, it’s clear that players like Wilson and Lenkupae are being given their chance to prove they belong at the top level — not out of sentiment, but out of a deliberate strategy to strengthen Kenya’s long-term prospects.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)