Clarke Oduor Reveals How Benni McCarthy Inspired His Harambee Stars Return After Five-Year Absence

Harambee Stars midfielder Clarke Oduor has opened up about Benni McCarthy’s vision that convinced him to make a comeback to the national team.

Clarke Oduor last featured for the Harambee Stars on October 9, 2020, before making a return in 2026 for the FIFA Series.

During his 2020 appearance, Clarke Oduor came on as a late substitute in an international friendly against Zambia at the Nyayo National Stadium, a match Kenya won 2–1.

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The Grimsby Town midfielder then endured a nearly six-year hiatus from international duty before being recalled by head coach Benni McCarthy. Clarke Oduor officially marked his comeback on March 30, 2026, earning a starting spot in Kenya's 3–0 victory over Grenada in Kigali.

Clarke Oduor explained that his decision to consider returning to the Harambee Stars setup was strongly influenced by the fresh direction and long-term plan introduced by Benni McCarthy.

He noted that although his time working with Benni McCarthy had been limited, their initial discussions had already given him confidence that the team was entering a new and well-structured phase built around clear objectives and improvement.

He added that this sense of direction had encouraged him to buy into the project and support the collective effort required within the squad.

According to him, success would depend on every player fully committing to development, maintaining a strong work ethic, and continuously pushing to improve both individually and as a unit.

He also emphasised the importance of discipline, consistency, and relying on close support systems around the players to maintain focus, suggesting that unity and dedication would be key factors in achieving the standards expected under the new leadership.

“Obviously, I've not been with Benny too long, but from the first conversation I had with him, it was clear that he's got new ideas and he's got a real vision and a real plan,” Clarke Oduor told Eleven Eleven TV.

“So, I think it's important for everyone to get behind that and just for every one of us to just work as hard as we can and try to improve individually and as a team. I think just hard work and try to rely on the people who are close to you as much as you can.”

Clarkee Oduor said that he believes players perform best when they genuinely enjoy their football, explaining that passion and enjoyment naturally translate into better displays on the pitch.

He added that mental well-being plays a crucial role in performance, noting that fatigue, distraction, or lack of focus can negatively affect how a player performs during matches, making psychological strength just as important as physical preparation.

Oduor further stressed the importance of players taking care of their long-term future by being responsible with their finances, including planning, saving, and investing wisely to ensure stability beyond their playing careers.

Oduor also highlighted that mental health is often overlooked in football discussions, but insisted it should be given more attention as it significantly affects both life off the pitch and performance on it.

“Enjoy it as much as you can. I think that's the biggest thing, you know, when you enjoy something, you usually do it. Yeah, it's massive. I think if you're mentally tired and you're distracted, I think that shows on the pitch, you won't be able to perform as well,” he shared.

“So, I think mental is a big thing, so you need to look after that. I think just sort of saving and investing, I think just looking into the future and seeing what you can do with the money that will benefit you in the long run.

“Again, I think mental health is a big thing, and it's just something that's not necessarily talked about as much or looked into as much, so I'd probably say that.”