'This Is What Is Killing the Team' - Benni McCarthy Told Major Issue Ailing Harambee Stars After 8–0 Defeat

The former Manchester United attacking coach has been urged to fix key selection and competitiveness issues that critics say are holding the Harambee Stars back.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has explained what is ailing Harambee Stars following a humiliating 8-0 friendly loss to Senegal on Tuesday.

The devastating defeat took place at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey, where the Lions of Teranga dismantled the Harambee Stars, establishing a commanding 6-0 lead by halftime.

Led by former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, Senegal overwhelmed Kenya from the start. Nicolas Jackson, currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea, opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match.

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El Hadji Malick Diouf quickly doubled the lead before Mané netted a rapid-fire hat-trick. In the second half, Ibrahim Mbaye made it 7-0, and substitute Cherif Ndiaye completed the rout.

Cleophas Shimanyula Reveals What Is Hurting Harambee Stars

The club chairman also criticised the former Manchester United assistant coach for his squad selection, claiming that many deserving players from the domestic league are being overlooked.

“He (Benni McCarthy) always picks a team from selected teams; he doesn’t go out to get more players from other Premier League clubs. His scouting is not going to help Kenya,” Shimanyula explained in an interview with Flashscore. “He has failed, and he cannot help Kenya to develop.”

He highlighted the lack of representation from in-form clubs. “For example, Homeboyz are second in the Premier League, but we don’t have a single player in Harambee Stars. AFC Leopards are currently doing very well, but there is no single player in McCarthy’s squad from the team.”

Shimanyula specifically questioned the exclusion of striker Moses Shumah. After finishing as the FKF Premier League's top scorer last season with 17 goals for Homeboyz, Shumah moved to Zambian side Power Dynamos.

He has been in excellent form, scoring six goals in seven appearances and helping his new club reach the CAF Champions League group stage.

“Shumah went to Zambia; he has been scoring goals for Dynamos, but he doesn’t get a call-up to the national team,” Shimanyula noted.

“For McCarthy to succeed, he needs to create competition within the team. He has a pool of good players countrywide, and he should use them.”

He added that the current squad has become too predictable and lacks internal competition. “In the current squad, most players are guaranteed a starting role. This creates laxity... Everyone in Kenya nowadays knows which players will be called up whenever McCarthy intends to name his squad, and this is what is killing the team.”

Cleophas Shimanyula Claims That a Local Coach Can Do Better

Cleophas Shimanyula expressed his profound disappointment with the result, arguing that the time has come for the FKF to replace the South African legend with a local tactician.

The Homeboyz boss also questioned Benni McCarthy's dedication, pointing to his absence from training sessions before the team travelled to Turkey.

“The coach was missing in training... he only met the team in Turkey. Is the coach really committed to his work?” he asked.

“A coach who loves his job needs to stay with the players for as long as possible. I was surprised the assistant coach took charge of training sessions before the team left. That was very unprofessional from McCarthy.”

Shimanyula further stated, “For now, I propose that FKF go out and get a new coach. In my opinion, a local coach can do better. We need to trust a local coach and give him the required support and a free hand to do his work.”

While severe, Tuesday's result was not Kenya's worst-ever defeat. That record dates back to a 13-2 friendly loss against a formidable Ghana side in 1961.