Benni McCarthy Faces Backlash Over AFC Leopards Snub in Harambee Stars Squad

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is facing mounting criticism over his squad selections, with allegations that he has consistently overlooked players from Kenyan Premier League powerhouse AFC Leopards.

The controversy intensified on Tuesday after the South African legend unveiled his squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Madagascar and Comoros.

The games are scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, during the November FIFA international window.

Notably absent from the list, which also omits Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga, is any representation from AFC Leopards.

In stark contrast, Gor Mahia contributed five players to the squad, including goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Sylvester Owino and Michael Kibwage, and midfielders Alpha Onyango and Austin Odhiambo.

Other domestic clubs featured in the selection include Tusker FC and Kenya Police FC, each providing one player. Newly promoted Nairobi United, who have impressed with their qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages, saw two of their players, Manzur Suleiman and Ovellah Ochieng, earn a call-up.

The complete exclusion of AFC Leopards players from the Turkey-bound squad, and from previous selections, has drawn a sharp response from club legend Reginald Asibwa, who is calling for a more equitable selection process.

"When I watch the Kenyan Premier League, it’s difficult to identify any team that is way ahead of the rest in terms of very high-quality top-level players," Asibwa said in an interview with Flashscore.

"The rate at which AFC Leopards players are being overlooked in the recent past when naming even provisional squads for the national team is indeed wanting."

Reginald Asibwa, who played for AFC Leopards in the late 1980s and also represented the Harambee Stars, expressed his concerns about the fairness of the selection process.

Now based in South London, Asibwa pointed out a troubling trend where players seem to get national team recognition only after leaving AFC Leopards for other clubs.

"I am not privy to the criteria used, but the process of selecting players raises concerns in terms of the yardstick used. I think if our level of football has gone down or up as a country, this should be across the board," he shared.

"Please, those involved in selection, let it not be the case of a witch-hunt, maligning AFC Leopards and/or treating our players unfairly. How can one explain that when a player leaves AFC Leopards today, tomorrow they’re called to the national team? This isn’t good at all."

Kenya Squad for Turkey Friendlies Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC).

Defenders: Vincent Harper (Walsall), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Du Sahel), Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal), Manzur Suleiman (Nairobi United), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek).

Midfielders: Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznań), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia).

Strikers: William Lenkupae (VPS), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), Ovellah Ochieng (Nairobi United), Jonah Ayunga (ST Mirren), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki).