Benni McCarthy Urged to Fix Key Area to Boost Harambee Stars' CHAN Final Hopes

Harambee Stars coach and former Manchester United first team coach Benni McCarthy.

Benni McCarthy Urged to Fix Key Area to Boost Harambee Stars' CHAN Final Hopes

Abigael Wafula 11:30 - 24.06.2025

Benni McCarthy has been urged to make key adjustments to boost Harambee Stars' chances of going all the way at CHAN.

The Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani will host the final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and a lot of pressure is piling up on Harambee Stars ahead of the event scheduled for August 2 to 30.

Harambee Stars have been placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia and are set to play all their matches on home soil.

Kenyan fans will be out to cheer on Harambee Stars as they look to make history with Benni McCarthy at the helm.

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With the final match scheduled for Kasarani, all eyes will be on Benni McCarthy and Harambee Stars, and before the event, the South African native has been advised on how best to ensure the Kenyan team makes it to the final.

How Benni McCarthy Can Help Harambee Stars Reach the CHAN Final

Benni McCarthy.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy. Photo: Imago Harambee Stars have avoided a major setback after Orlando Pirates appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou as head coach, ending speculation linking Benni McCarthy

Former Kenya international Elijah Onsika pointed out that Harambee Stars have really improved since Benni McCarthy took charge.

Elijah Onsika pointed out that watching Harambee Stars play against Chad was refreshing and highlighted that there are a few things Benni McCarthy needs to address.

In their first international friendly match against Chad, Harambee Stars were held to a goalless draw before they bounced back to claim a 2-1 victory in their second match.

“I watched them recently during the friendly matches against Chad. They have improved, and you could see even the passing of the ball, which has been a problem, has greatly improved, and their all-around defending was superb,” Elijah Onsika said as quoted by Flash Score.

“What McCarthy needs to work on now is the striking force; we still don’t have someone who can finish those chances. We create a lot but don’t use them.

“We dominated Chad in the first friendly but came out with a 0-0 draw; that person to put the ball inside the net is still missing, and we need to fix that, but for me, I think Kenya will play in the final of 2024 CHAN.”

Elijah Onsika: Harambee Stars Should Not Fear Morocco

Harambee Stars
Harambee Stars Photo || IMAGO

With Kenya being in Group A alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia, many fans and football experts have expressed concern, often referring to it as the Group of Death.

However, Elijah Onsika believes that times have passed, stating that in modern football, there are no clear favourites anymore, as teams frequently lose to underdogs in major tournaments.

The former Harambee Stars player added that Kenya should rely on home support, stick to the coach’s plan, and remain focused.

“We don’t have to fear any team if you want to win the trophy, I see people saying Morocco will be difficult, but then again, we have to grow beyond that fear of facing North African teams, and that mentality should be instilled on the players before, and when the tournament gets underway,” Elijah Onsika added.

Tanzania, who are also hosts of the event, have been placed in Group B alongside Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic.

Other hosts, Uganda, are in Group C with Niger, Guinea, South Africa, Algeria. Group D comprises Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria.