Benni McCarthy Quashes Rift Rumours: "I'm Fully in Charge of Harambee Stars"
- The Harambee Stars coach, Benni McCarthy, has dismissed speculation over unauthorised player call-ups ahead of CHAN 2024
- Kenya pulled out of the CECAFA tournament just hours before kickoff, citing poor accommodation and training facilities.
- Social media erupted with claims of political interference and a plot to oust McCarthy.
Kenyan coach Benni McCarthy has quashed all rumours of a rift within the Harambee Stars camp as they prepare for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The tourney is set to start on 2 August, running up to the 30th of August.
Source: Facebook
Social media is abuzz with rumours of a rift in the camp
In recent days, social media has been abuzz in Kenya with reports that several of last week's chaotic national team call-ups were reportedly made without the approval of Harambee Stars head coach McCarthy.
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Sources claim McCarthy was caught off guard by the presence of some players at the training ground, a key reason why a number of them were released after just one session. But the South African has dismissed all those reports and said he is fully in charge of the Harambee Stars.
More drama has since beset the team. On Monday, the Harambee Stars pulled out of the Four-Nation Tournament that took place in Karatu, Tanzania.
McCarthy had cited poor logistical arrangements, highlighting substandard accommodation and an unsuitable training ground as key reasons for the withdrawal. The decision was taken just hours before the team was scheduled to face hosts Tanzania in their opening match.
The Kenyan fans have various theories and opinions on what is going on.
How did the Kenyans react?
@Dollar__SM:
"Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has denied reports that some of the late call-ups to the national team were made without his knowledge. While addressing journalists at Nyayo Stadium earlier today, McCarthy said all call-ups were made with his full approval."
@salym_waziry:
"Our so-called ‘Messiah’ & ‘hope’ for Kenyan football, Husseyn Mohammed, secretly kicks out Macdonald Mariga & installs NEC member Abdallah Yusuf as the new vice president of FKF. The ploy is to remove Benni McCarthy by sabotage."
@bedjosessien:
"Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is being sabotaged. Guys who have a strong connection with the federation are calling up players without their consent. They are setting him up for failure so that they get their own man in charge. They have already ejected Vice President Macdonald Mariga, who played a big part in bringing McCarthy onboard. The shenanigans going on at FKF are too much."
Source: Facebook
Benni is under pressure to get results for Kenya
McCarthy has been under intense pressure to perform and has received criticism from certain voices in Kenyan football, like football legend Francis Baraza, who initially opposed his appointment.
More people have also come in and shown their support for McCarthy, including former Chelsea midfielder and Nigerian international, Joni Obi Mikel.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, Obi Mikel expressed optimism about the South African’s impact on the team’s long-term development. The former Nigeria captain believes that Kenya, under McCarthy’s guidance, can become a formidable side in African football.
Having spent time as a first-team coach at Manchester United, McCarthy brings with him a wealth of experience. Now tasked with building Kenya’s footballing future, he has earned the backing of legends like Mikel—an endorsement that could inspire belief within the Harambee Stars' camp.
McCarthy makes honest admission about Kenya's WC hopes
Briefly News also reported that Benni McCarthy made an honest admission about the Harambee Stars' chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
The former Pirates star cited the points gap and early setbacks in the qualifying series as some of the challenges.
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Source: Briefly News
