Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has urged Kenyan fans to remain patient and trust Benni McCarthy’s CHAN 2024 squad selection.
Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has called on Kenyan football fans to exercise patience and restraint as current national team head coach Benni McCarthy comes under fire for his 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) squad selections.
McCarthy has come under scrutiny following the unveilling of his 30-man provisional Harambee Stars squad for the August tournament poised to be hosted across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In an exclusive with Pulse Sports, Mulee reflected on the familiar pressure national team coaches face from fans and stakeholders, noting that the noise around McCarthy’s decisions mirrors his own experience when he was appointed in 2002.
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Mulee Reflects on His Own Coaching Challenges
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"Kenya is a nation where people express themselves very freely and boldly in football matters, in politics, and nearly everything," Mulee said.
"I remember when I was given the opportunity to coach the national team back in 2002, there was a lot of pushback saying that I was young, because I was 35, and my credentials were questioned."
Mulee noted that skepticism and scrutiny are inevitable in Kenyan football circles, but he emphasized the importance of trusting the coach’s vision.
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“During my time, the issue was that I had selected too many players from Tusker, but they were the league champions and had won CECAFA two times,” he recalled.
“So Benni McCarthy has come in, and I can assure you, when he selects any player, his goal is to win. All the players selected can't play at once and they’re all Kenyans so let's back them.”
Mulee's Call for Support for McCarthy
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As public debate rages over McCarthy’s squad, particularly about omissions of certain fan-favorite players, Mulee offered a reminder that every coach has a strategy and sees beyond the surface.
“If as a fan you feel strongly that a certain player should be included, remember he might not be in the coach’s plans,” he said.
“So let's give the coach time and respect his decision.”
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Mulee’s support comes at a critical moment as Kenya prepares to co-host the CHAN 2024 tournament with Uganda and Tanzania, raising expectations on both performance and selection.
His words serve as both reassurance and a reality check, that while critique is part of the game, unity and patience could be key to success on home soil.