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Shabana FC fans erupt after Brian Michira’s exclusion from the CHAN squad despite his impressive season, sparking debate over selections.
Shabana FC forward Brian Michira was at the center of a fierce backlash on Thursday after his exclusion from Benni McCarthy’s provisional Harambee Stars squad for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers triggered uproar among fans, players, and pundits across Kenyan football circles.
Michira, who just wrapped up a sensational season in which he netted 12 goals and supplied 8 assists in the FKF Premier League, also clinched the FKF Cup Golden Boot after scoring five goals. His 20 league contributions made him one of the country’s standout attacking talents.
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The decision to leave out the in-form forward shocked many supporters who argued that Michira’s consistent displays had earned him the right to finally make his senior debut.
"At this point, @bennimccarthy17 should just say 'I don’t rate local talent' and spare us the circus. Leaving out Brian Michira again? Benny must be allergic to form. How do you skip the most in-form player locally?" one fan, William Abala, wrote on X, summing up the frustration.
Impressive Season Overlooked Despite Statistics
Michira was widely expected to be among the first names on the roster, especially after stepping up his performances following the departure of strike partner Mathew Tegisi to Tanzanian side Pamba Jiji midway through the campaign.
The versatile attacker has previously said that Tegisi’s move gave him added motivation to take more responsibility.
“I’ve had a good season and I am in great shape. Getting called up to the national team is every player’s dream. If I make it to the CHAN squad, I will feel like all the effort I put in this season has paid off. It would be a huge milestone for me and a big motivation heading into the new season,” said Michira in an interview with Pepeta earlier this week.
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But when McCarthy unveiled his provisional squad, Michira’s name was conspicuously missing—sparking outrage both online and among Shabana’s loyal fan base.
"Sometimes you wonder whether these coaches even watch the league," tweeted longtime supporter Kevin Ochieng.
"What else should Michira do? He has scored goals, created goals, carried the team. It’s really disrespectful to ignore that."
Fans Question McCarthy’s Selection Criteria
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Sources close to the Football Kenya Federation indicated that McCarthy’s technical team prioritized players with prior national team exposure, arguing that experience would be vital in CHAN’s demanding fixtures.
But many supporters were unconvinced by the rationale, insisting that form and merit should come first.
"Even if you want to pick experienced players, you must reward form," argued Nairobi-based fan Mercy Chebet.
"What message are you sending to players working so hard in the local league if you keep ignoring them? This is how you kill motivation."
Sports journalist Daniel Otieno echoed similar sentiments, telling local media: “When you see a player like Michira overlooked, you realize selection is not always about merit. It’s a blow to the credibility of the process.”
Despite the uproar, Michira has kept a dignified silence, choosing not to publicly criticize the selectors.
Insiders close to the forward say he was “hugely disappointed,” having also missed out on last year’s Mapinduzi Cup squad due to delays in travel documentation.
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