'Rome Was Not Built in a Day' - Benni McCarthy Urges Patience From Fans Ahead of Harambee Stars vs Chad Clash

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy. (Photo Courtesy)

'Rome Was Not Built in a Day' - Benni McCarthy Urges Patience From Fans Ahead of Harambee Stars vs Chad Clash

Abigael Wafula 13:30 - 10.06.2025

Benni McCarthy has urged fans and media to be patient with Harambee Stars ahead of their second friendly match against Chad.

Benni McCarthy has called on fans and the media to be patient as he builds a solid squad for the African Nations Championship to be hosted across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August.

Harambee Stars had a friendly encounter with Chad as part of the preparations, but the first leg of the match on Saturday night ended in a barren draw.

Following their loss, fans were quick to dismiss the players, noting that they gave away easy chances and that losing to Chad was unexpected. Kenya is ranked 111th in the FIFA rankings, with their opponents ranked 177th

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The Kenyan national team players face off against Chad on Tuesday evening with Benni McCarthy in the hunt for his first win, but he has urged Kenyans to show the players mercy.

Benni McCarthy: This is Experimental

Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy

The former Manchester United attacking coach revealed that through the friendly matches, he can identify what is working and rectify all their major undoings.

He revealed that the squad selected for the friendlies is used to playing in the local league, and the players have finally gotten an opportunity to play internationally.

Benni McCarthy pointed out that they play in different clubs, and the friendlies are seemingly the first time they get to play together.

The former Bafana Bafana striker urged fans not to be quick to throw stones, stating that they should not judge the players with just one loss.

“This is experimental because if you are judged by the results, I would not have picked any players and would have opted to go international if I were selfish,” Benni McCarthy told FKF Media.

“I want to be prepared for CHAN, and I want to pick a good squad. The media and fans have to understand that Rome was not built in a day. I’m not going to come here and make magic, and I need to work with these players and get to know them more.”

Benni McCarthy: I also have to Be Realistic

Harambee Stars vs Chad
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy (Credit: FKF Media) Benni McCarthy Warned As First Win Continues to Harambee Stars Coach ahead of Chad friendly.

Benni McCarthy revealed that fans should have realistic expectations from the inexperienced squad, noting that some of the players are debutants on the international stage.

He further revealed that the players will be the ones to represent Kenya in CHAN and that the international friendlies will greatly help them, adding that they are just getting the feel of playing against rivals from other countries.

“Now that the preparations are finished, you try and see the friendly matches available and you want to win, of course,” Benni McCarthy shared.

“But I also have to be realistic because if you don’t know a player, they have not played together, and people expect them to win 5-0, it doesn’t work like that.”

As Harambee Stars gear up for their second friendly match against Chad in Morocco, Benni McCarthy has insisted on the need for fans to be patient.

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