Benni McCarthy Told Michael Olunga Alternative to Solve Harambee Stars Goal Scoring Woes

Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars could benefit greatly from Wanyama's experience. (Credit: FKF Media)

Benni McCarthy Told Michael Olunga Alternative to Solve Harambee Stars Goal Scoring Woes

Stephen Awino 19:10 - 26.04.2025

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been offered a Michael Olunga alternative that can solve Harambee Stars goal scoring woes.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been told of a Michael Olunga alternative that could have solved goal-scoring woes against Gambia and Gabon.

McCarthy took charge of his first two games during the March international break, with captain Michael Olunga leading the line.

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Moses Shumah Given Nod

Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah has been given the nod to shoe in Harambee Stars striker position. Benni McCarthy. Michael Olunga.
Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah has been given the nod to shoe in Harambee Stars striker position. (Photo Courtesy).

However, former Shabana tactician Caleb Aringa believes Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah could have done a better job leading the line.

"Harambee is nobody's team. It is for players who are in form, and I feel like in that Gabon game we missed the chance to play our players who were in form," said Aringa on the Exit Show on YouTube.

"The crosses we were making—someone like Shumah, if he had been in there, he would have gotten on the end of them and we would have won that game," he added.

The Kakamega Homeboyz striker was absent from McCarthy's 23-man squad for the fixtures against Gambia and Gabon.

Olunga led the line and, despite finding the back of the net in both fixtures, the skipper came under scrutiny for his wastefulness.

McCarthy Told How to Solve Harambee Stars Selection Problem

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy.

Aringa, however, believes that with McCarthy at the helm, the likes of Shumah, who leads the FKF Premier League scoring charts tied with Tusker's Ryan Ogam on 15 goals, will eventually find their way to the national team.

"I am happy because coach McCarthy wants to play football. He does not fear attacking and respects talent. Only that he did not have the time to assemble his team, and he was helped, but he has taken time now with those two games to know his squad," said Aringa.

"But the coach, if given time, I think McCarthy is a good person who will pick based on form," added the former Shabana tactician.

Aringa further assessed Harambee Stars' defensive frailties, identifying them as a key area for McCarthy to fix going forward.

"Having watched the two Harambee Stars games, I'm a little bit worried because we conceded five goals in two matches. It's a lot. I think as a coach the first thing I would do is stop the conceding by sorting out the defence," he noted.

This comes at a time when McCarthy is gearing up to tackle the remainder of Kenya's 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as the 2024 CHAN looms.

Also on the horizon for McCarthy and the Harambee Stars is the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup scheduled for June.