Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Gives Injury Update on Job Ochieng Ahead of Grenada Clash

Harambee Stars have suffered a setback ahead of their FIFA Series playoff against Grenada after Job Ochieng was ruled out through injury.

Kenya are set to play on Monday, March 30, with head coach Benni McCarthy confirming that the talented winger will miss the clash after providing an update on his condition.

Job Ochieng was forced off in the 40th minute during Kenya’s FIFA Series opener against Estonia on March 27, 2026, after picking up a minor hamstring strain.

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Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Benni McCarthy stated that Job Ochieng had to be substituted after picking up a slight muscle concern during the match, but reassured that medical evaluations did not reveal any serious damage.

The Harambee Stars coach explained that the issue only required a brief recovery period, and as a precautionary step, the technical team agreed it would be best for the player to return to his club in Spain to continue rehabilitation under familiar conditions.

Benni McCarthy emphasised that the decision was made to protect the player’s long-term fitness and avoid any risk of aggravating the problem.

He acknowledged that losing the forward was a setback for the squad, especially given his promising contribution, but expressed confidence in the depth of the team to cope with his absence.

Benni McCarthy added that other players would be allowed to step up and fill the gap, while he would also take time to assess the situation and consider possible adjustments to the lineup ahead of the upcoming fixture.

“Job came off; he had a little bit of a strain on his hamstring, and we sent him for a medical exam, and it came out to be nothing serious. It was just a little rest and a layoff,” Benni McCarthy said.

“So, we made the decision to send him back to his club to receive further treatment, and yeah, we don’t want to jeopardise losing him any further. He has gone back to Spain to receive treatment. It’s a bit disappointing for us, but we have other players who can step in. I’ll decide if I’ll make some changes to the team.”

Meanwhile, the match between Kenya and Estonia is scheduled for 5:00 PM EAT at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.