Benni McCarthy Confirms Harambee Stars Interest in Everton Defender Tyler Onyango

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that finalizing his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles was one of the toughest calls he has had to make.

The South African gaffer admitted he was tempted to lean heavily on the home-grown contingent due to the strong showing of the locally based players at the recently concluded 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).

Ultimately, however, he struck a balance between domestic standouts and established internationals, while leaving out some surprise names.

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Among the biggest talking points is the omission of Gor Mahia forward Austin Odhiambo, joint-top scorer for Kenya at CHAN, alongside Daniel Sakari, Siraj Mohammed, Chrispine Erambo, and Massoud Juma.

Injuries also forced him to sideline several foreign-based stars, including Eric Ouma Marcelo, who needs surgery after playing through pain for Raków Częstochowa, and Stade de Reims defender  Joseph Okumu.

At the same time, McCarthy confirmed the technical bench had reached out to Tottenham Hotspur defender Tyler Onyango, the highly-rated 22-year-old prospect, to explore his commitment to Kenya’s national team.

“Tyler Onyango is a player also that we reached out, we reached out to Everton to get us some information and if the player would be willing to come and play for Kenya,” McCarthy said.

"They spoke to his parents and they showed their desire for him to play for Kenya. But I think it was the timing and the time that we had wasn’t on our side. You have to make the tough decisions and those are the reasons why you see the players that are here.”

Born to a Kenyan father and an English mother, Onyango is eligible to play for both nations.

In 2022, Onyango was invited by then-Kenyan coach Engin Firat to represent Harambee Stars in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, he turned down the call-up, a decision that sparked debate about his international allegiance.

McCarthy emphasized that injuries to key figures shaped his decision-making. Marcelo and Nondi are both battling Achilles issues, while Okumu’s long-term absence leaves a defensive void.

The former Manchester United striker's coach admitted that balancing between rewarding local stars and ensuring experienced internationals retain their roles was not straightforward.

In total, 13 players from the CHAN squad were promoted to the final team, alongside captain Michael Olunga, Collins Sichenje, and Richard Odada.

Rising star Job Ochieng also received his first-ever senior call-up, highlighting the blend of youth and experience McCarthy is banking on.

Kenya currently sits fourth in their World Cup qualifying group with six points, trailing Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Burundi.

The upcoming back-to-back fixtures at Kasarani, starting Friday, September 5, will be pivotal in deciding whether the Harambee Stars can keep their qualification hopes alive.

McCarthy acknowledged the weight of the moment, pointing to the strength of Kenya’s league and the potential of its players if given proper support.

“I’m proud of everyone,” he said.

“We have a good league that just needs to be supported in all the necessary departments so that we can even produce more and better players.”