The newly appointed Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy conducted his first training session with the national team at the renovated Ulinzi Sports Complex on Wednesday March 12 ahead of the crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.
The national team, placed in Group F, will face Gambia on March 20 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ivory Coast, before hosting Gabon on home soil after four years at the Nyayo International Stadium on Sunday, March 23.
Ahead of these pivotal matches, McCarthy expressed his satisfaction with the first training session, highlighting his positive impressions of the players.
“It was a good experience for some of the young players we called up allowing them to showcase their skills.
It also provided me an opportunity to understand them better and for them to familiarize themselves with my coaching style, the intensity, and what top-level international football needs,” McCarthy told FKF media after the session on Wednesday.
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“It went well today, they performed very well for the first day. They have adapted to what I wanted as well. There is good quality in there, which surprised me, but it’s all better for the country and the team.”
The former Manchester United first-team coach noted that to better understand his players, he had the advantage of guidance from former interim coach Francis Kimanzi who assisted in the selection process, as McCarthy had only been able to attend one match prior to the training.
“I was unfortunate enough not to watch many matches; I’ve only attended one since I joined. So I did not get a wide variety of players or get to know who they are.
I had to rely on interim coach Francis and some of the coaches who have been part of the team because I had to rely on them. I also watched some videos. I know it is not ideal, but considering the time I came in, it wasn’t enough. I’m glad I did, because maybe I could have missed a hidden gem,” added McCarthy.
He also mentioned that the atmosphere in camp was a bit tense, as both players and coaches were still getting to know each other, but he described the first day as a positive experience.
First Harambee Stars squad under McCarthy
Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay, South Africa), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City, South Africa)
Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa, Poland), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC, Azerbaijan), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims, France), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina, Serbia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF, Denmark), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch, South Africa), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia)
Midfielders: Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd, Serbia), Duke Abuya (Young Africans, Tanzania), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji, Tanzania), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat, Armenia), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad, Romania), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad, Iran), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD, Spain), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)
Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), John Avire (Porto Suez, Egypt), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren, Scotland), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji, Tanzania), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC, Iran)
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