Ex-Kenyan International Explains What is Derailing Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars Project

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been advised to fix a key issue if his team is to become consistent.

McCarthy saw his team get destroyed by Senegal on Tuesday when they lost 8-0 in a friendly match, a result that has elicited mixed reactions from fans and pundits.

Kenya had no answer for a star-studded Senegal with the relatively young squad that McCarthy selected struggling to cope with the 2021 African champions.

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Former Kenyan defender Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo is among those who were not impressed by the result and he feels McCarthy could be shooting himself in the foot by trying out so many players instead of sticking to a consistent lineup.

“We are all disappointed with the result, 8-0 is something we didn’t expect. Inasmuch as it was a friendly game against one of Africa’s powerful teams, I think we should have done better,” Omollo told South African outlet FARPost.

“It’s somehow embarrassing to us, and I think Benni should do something. I believe that since we played our CHAN games, we have not had that consistency, we have not had good results.

“We have lost against Gambia and Ivory Coast. I’m not seeing any progress. In fact, the team is regressing, which is quite sad because by now we could have seen some big improvements from our team, but we are not seeing that.

“We are in a position in which we don’t have a first XI. Basically, we have tried every player. Like when we played against Senegal, we could see new players. I know as much as Benni wants to build a strong team for AFCON, which we are hosting, we should have direction.”

McCarthy’s team for the November friendly games against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal was made up of a largely young and inexperienced squad with a number of stars such as captain Michael Olunga missing.

While McCarthy is looking to try out many players with an eye on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Omollo says it could be counterproductive if results continue being negative, which might increase pressure on the coach.

“We should have players we know that are ready to play these games. Playing against Senegal, could we put our best players in that game so that we can measure how they have progressed?” the former Gor Mahia, Tusker and Pota Rangers coach posed.

“I believe some players failed McCarthy, and it shows that on the big stage, they cannot be relied on. But I believe, by now, McCarthy should have his team, and the team should be progressing.

“When you lose such games by a bigger margin, it knocks off your confidence, and sometimes people start asking questions. Is this guy the right man to take the team forward? Are these players the right ones to play for the Harambee Stars?

“Questions will come, but I believe McCarthy knows what he is doing. But it is high time now, we should have a stable team. Sometimes, especially in Kenya, they say coaches come and go,” said Omollo who is now the newly-appointed coach of FKF Premier League new boys APs Bomet.