Benni McCarthy Eyes Big Surprise as Harambee Stars Face Estonia in FIFA Series

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has expressed his confidence ahead of Kenya’s match against Estonia on Friday, March 27, in the FIFA Series at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

The fixture will mark Kenya’s first-ever meeting with European opposition, and McCarthy believes his side has the quality and mindset to catch both their opponents and supporters by surprise.

He also highlighted the squad’s balance, blending domestic talent with players based abroad, expressing optimism that this combination and his tactical setup will deliver a positive outcome.

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Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Benni McCarthy explained that the squad had settled in quickly after arriving, noting that early preparations had been productive and helped the team build momentum ahead of the match.

The former Manchester United attacking coach said the focus had now shifted toward refining strategy and shaping the lineup to ensure the players clearly understood their roles on the pitch.

Benni McCarthy added that taking on a European side would provide a valuable challenge for the team, expressing optimism that the players would rise to the occasion and deliver an impressive display that supporters could be proud of.

“The players adapted well…we had a training session on the day of our arrival, and yesterday we were able to train, and we got a good session out of the team,” Benni McCarthy shared.

“Now, its excitement is just kicking in. The side that will probably start tomorrow will be a little bit of tactical organisation and what we want to do.

“Facing European opposition will be a nice test for our boys, so we hope for the best and that we can give the fans a spectacular performance and a good account of ourselves.”

Benni McCarthy stated that while both he and his players were eager to secure a positive result, the main priority was to measure themselves against unfamiliar European opposition and gain valuable exposure from the encounter.

He noted that progressing further in the competition and potentially claiming victory would be an added advantage rather than the sole objective.

Benni McCarthy went on to express strong belief in the squad’s ability to perform competitively, suggesting that their display could catch many off guard, including their rivals, and emphasised that such a performance would demonstrate the team’s steady improvement and progress.

“Of course, I want to win, the players want to win, but we are playing against European opposition, so we want to test ourselves, and if we manage to do well, then it comes to Monday, and we are in the final and won, it will be a great bonus. But I want us to get the experience,” he shared.

“I have confidence in my team and believe we shall be able to compete really well and surprise a lot of people, even our opponents; we shall surprise them. However, it will confirm that we are making strides in the right direction.”