Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars Get High Praise from Nigeria Coach as He Identifies Where Rising Stars Failed

Harambee Stars have been praised by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.

Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars Get High Praise from Nigeria Coach as He Identifies Where Rising Stars Failed

Joel Omotto 15:55 - 09.05.2025

Nigeria Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has opened up on what has impressed him about Harambee Stars while giving Rising Stars tips on how to improve.

Harambee Stars have been praised for showing lots of improvements in their recent international assignments.

That is the assessment of Nigeria Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who believes Benni McCarthy’s team are on the right trajectory.

Chelle, who is at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, has also been impressed by Kenya’s Rising Stars, who exited the tournament at the group stages, following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Nigeria.

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Rising Stars left the tournament with one point after losing 3-2 to Morocco, 3-1 to Tunisia before the draw with Nigeria and the Super Eagles coach has made some observations about Salim Babu’s team, identifying what let them down while explaining how they can improve.

“I like the transition when they [Kenya U20] get the ball back, they try to make some fast attacks and they have four players in offence who are so fast, strong and can score at any moment,” Chelle told Kenyan journalists in Egypt.

What Does Eric Chelle Admire About Harambee Stars?

“They need to work on defence, when they get the ball back, try to have possession because they have so many runners and at the big moments, they are a little tired.”

The former Mali national team coach then weighed in on what he has seen from Harambee Stars that has left him impressed.

“I was surprised about Kenya but in reality, I am not surprised because the national team improves every day. I watch a lot of games about your [Kenya] national teams and the reality is that I am not surprised,” he added.

Chelle was hired as Super Eagles coach in January this year with Nigeria in danger of missing out on a ticket to the 2026 World Cup and like McCarthy, he has also managed two matches, winning one, a 2-0 victory against Rwanda, before a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.