Benni McCarthy Facing Selection Dilemma as Key Defender is Suspended for Ivory Coast Match

Kenyan international Ronney Onyango. Photo: FKF Media.

Benni McCarthy Facing Selection Dilemma as Key Defender is Suspended for Ivory Coast Match

Joel Omotto 20:18 - 13.10.2025

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will have to do without one of his dependable players when they clash away to Ivory Coast, giving him a selection headache.

As Harambee Stars prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast, coach Benni McCarthy will have to do without one of his key players.

The match holds a lot of significance for Ivory Coast, who must win, to be certain of a place at the 2026 World Cup, as anything other than three points could see second-placed Gabon, who are one-point behind, close in.

However, McCarthy’s men will not roll over and allow the Ivorians to run away with it but to do that, they will need a full-strength squad.

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However, the Harambee Stars coach will have to do without defender Ronney Onyango who is suspended for the match, having accumulated two yellow cards.

Who Will Replace Ronney Onyango?

It gives McCarthy a selection dilemma at right-back, as he only has Daniel Sakari as the other natural option in the position, although centre-back Alphonce Omija can also play there.

The difference with Onyango, however, is that he is very experienced at international level and adds creativity to the team with his forward runs, something the other options still lack.

It could prove to be the difference as whoever is selected will come up against Simon Adingra, the fleetfooted Ivorian winger, who plays on the left and looks to cut in with his right foot.

Luckily, Sakari understands McCarthy’s demands as he was one of his key players at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024), where he featured in all five matches, starting two, as Kenya reached the quarter-final.