'My Name is Still There' – Benni McCarthy Fires Back in Defense of Harambee Stars Captain Michael Olunga

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has advised captain Michael Olunga on the best way he can move past the criticism from fans.

Michael Olunga has found himself in the midst of criticism from fans who claim that his form has greatly diminished, with some adding that his time in the national team is up.

The Al-Arabi striker, however, has defied all odds, continuing to prove himself as one of the best, with his impressive performances. At the moment, he is just two goals away from becoming Harambee Stars' top scorer.

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Following his brace against Seychelles in the World Cup qualifier match played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Michael Olunga equalled Dennis Oliech as the joint second all-time top scorer for the national team. He has since scored 34 goals, with William Ouma leading the table with 35 goals.

Following the growing criticism, Benni McCarthy has urged Michael Olunga to focus on his career, insisting that if he puts in the work, he will forever prove doubters wrong.

Benni McCarthy revealed that people find the need to talk because Michael Olunga is doing well, adding that the former Al-Duhail striker is just getting started.

Benni McCarthy shared that he, too, faced heavy criticism during his playing career, but instead of dwelling on it, he stayed focused and worked tirelessly.

His persistence eventually paid off, as he went on to become South Africa’s all-time leading scorer—an achievement he holds with immense pride, while noting that many of his former critics have yet to reach the heights he attained.

“As long as you just work hard and get under people’s skin because they can’t get you because you keep working hard and do what you do best and when you step onto that pitch, you work and keep sticking the ball at the back of the net,” Benni McCarthy addressed the media in a post-match press conference.

“The haters will keep hating because your talent will just keep going. That is the same for me, back in the day, I never gave two monkeys about what people thought or said about me, my name is still there, and they’re still struggling to get there, so yeah.

“That’s what Michael has to do, just keep plugging away and he knows how important he is, to me, to the technical team and his teammates, and that’s the only thing that matters.”

With his latest brace putting him within touching distance of the all-time scoring record, Michael Olunga’s response to criticism seems to be written in goals.

And with Benni McCarthy’s backing and experience to guide him, the Harambee Stars captain has every reason to silence his doubters and cement his place among Kenya’s greatest strikers.