Benni McCarthy Slammed for Harambee Stars Call-Up to Unattached Player Over On-Form Forwards

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been criticised for overlooking some players who are in form and handing callups to some who are not even playing.

McCarthy named his squad for the upcoming FIFA Series on Friday which will see Kenya play Grenada, Estonia and Rwanda in Kigali between March 23 and 31.

However, there were notable omissions, especially striker Moses Shumah, the top scorer in the Zambian Super League with 14 goals as well as the FKF Premier League’s leading scorer Joseph Waithira.

McCarthy’s decision to include William Lenkupae, who is currently without a club, raised eyebrows as some feel those playing regularly and doing well at their clubs should have been given priority.

“I don’t understand the rationale of calling a player who is unattached especially when his match fitness is questionable having trained alone or with a personal coach,” AFC Leopards legend Reginald Asibwa told Flashscore.

“It does not replicate the intensity of competitive matches of the national team calibre. It discourages younger domestic players working hard to catch the eye of the selectors especially when there’s no crisis occasioned by injuries or when the match at hand is just a friendly with not so much at stake.”

McCarthy’s squad will see the return of Richard Odada, Mohammed Bajaber after missing out previously due to various reasons while foreign-born players Zak Vyner, Zech Obiero and Clarke Oduor could make their Harambee Stars debut after getting the nod.

In attack, McCarthy will rely on captain Michael Olunga, youngster Lawrence Okoth and Ryan Ogam, the latter getting a call-up despite not playing for his Austrian side Wolfsberger AC at senior level, a decision that has also been questioned.

“It is unfortunate what we are seeing happening to Harambee Stars, the squad selection raises more questions than answers, and if nothing is done quickly to change the trend, then Kenya will no longer be a power house in Africa,” Kakamega Homeboyz boss Cleophas Shimanyula also weighed in while speaking to Flashscore.

“For example, why don’t we have Shumah in the squad? He is the current top scorer for Dynamos in the Zambian Super League. Recently he scored a hat-trick and followed it up with two goals. He deserves to play for Kenya.

“Is it that coach McCarthy and his selectors don’t have eyes to see what the player is doing and many others? You want to tell me they have not noticed Shumah’s performance in Zambia?”

McCarthy opted for the tried and tested and he will be hoping that those selected prove why they deserve a spot in his team during the mini-tournament in Rwanda.