Benni McCarthy Explains Why He Called Up Mohammed Bajaber Despite Lack of Match Fitness

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has explained the reason behind his decision to call up Mohammed Bajaber who is just back from an injury.

McCarthy included Bajaber in his squad for the upcoming FIFA Series set to take place in Rwanda, starting Friday with Estonia, Grenada and the hosts being their opponents.

Bajaber has just recovered from an injury he suffered in January while playing for Simba SC of Tanzania and had not played for his club before the national team call-up.

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However, McCarthy feels Bajaber needs a lot of love and trust to boost his confidence and bring him back to his best and having served him so well previously, he saw the need to give him that opportunity.

“He is an exceptional talent that came from local football. He was thrown into the lion’s den from nothing and he stepped up massively and was dedicated to the national team and just before the CHAN, he got a horrible injury that has hampered him until now,” McCarthy told the media.

“He is making progress until now so when you have the players that you know that you have seen what they can do and what they can offer to the national team, you don’t turn your back on those players because loyalty always goes a long way and I am somebody that when you do well for me, I am always going to show you that loyalty.”

The Harambee Stars coach hopes Bajaber’s road to full fitness and return to his absolute best can begin at the FIFA Series as being around the national team setup will give him belief while he will raise his game in a bid to repay the faith put in him by the coach.

“It is me showing him that he still has a role. He has a part in this national team. Just because he suffered some terrible injuries and endured not so great time at Simba but I know when he is reunited with his national teammates it brings out the best in him,” he went on.

“You can see maybe the confidence not being there from not being as active as he would have liked to but the day he joins with his teammates, you see a big smile on his face. He is happy again and that brings out the best that you want to play for your country and that is why he is here, he will contribute a lot and we will give them the love they need.”

Bajaber last played for McCarthy in March 2025 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers away to The Gambia, when he scored a cracking goal, as well as at home to Gabon but an injury when turning out for Kenya Police last June locked him out of subsequent national team assignments.

That injury kept him out until December when he made his debut for Simba but he would suffer another setback in January 12, minutes into his first start for Wekundu wa Msimbazi, and he has not played since.