New head coach Benni McCarthyhas come to the defense of captain Michael Olunga.
Olunga scored the lone goal as Kenya lost 1-2 to Gabon on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.
This was the second match for McCarthy and his first at home.
Harambee Stars manager Benni McCarthy has defended Michael Olunga, describing the skipper as the best player in the squad, despite missing several chances in Kenya’s 1-2 defeat to Gabon on Sunday evening at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Olunga missed nearly four clear opportunities that could have secured a victory for Kenya and kept their hopes alive for 2026 World Cup qualification.
However, he scored the only goal for Kenya with a clinical finish from a well-timed cross by Eric Marcelo, which pulled one back for the team and marked his 32nd goal for the national team.
In response to questions about Olunga’s performance in Sunday’s match, the former Manchester United first-team coach stated that it was unfair to judge him harshly, as strikers often miss chances.
“I don’t think that’s a fair question, to be honest. When you say he wasted chances, this is football. He was simply unfortunate against Gabon.
I was a striker too, and I missed many opportunities, but when you score, people forget about the five or six chances you missed,” McCarthy defended Olunga after the match.
He further emphasized that although he is keen on introducing new talent to the squad, Olunga has contributed significantly to the national team and at the personal level.
He noted that altering the squad is a gradual process, not something done arbitrarily.
“That question was not fair, especially considering what he has done for the country and his own development. Yes, we need to bring in new, young players but you have to remember this is only my second game.
I haven’t been here for long, so it’s going to be a process. I can’t come in and start making changes on a whim,” he added.
McCarthy, 47, lavished praise on Olunga, stating that he is currently the best player in the squad and that he will rely on him moving forward.
However, he mentioned that any player who proves themselves to be better than Olunga will have an opportunity to play.
“He’s our leader. He’s the player I look to set the example for the rest of the team because he’s the best finisher I’ve seen so far in the game. If other players step up and show they’re better than him, they’ll get their chance.
But right now, he’s the best I have got, and I’d be concerned if he stopped getting chances. If he doesn’t get any chances, then I should be worried as a coach, but the fact that he’s getting them means he’s doing well as well as the team,” McCarthy explained.
Following the loss on Sunday, Harambee Stars now sits in fourth place in Group F with six points, nine points behind Gabon who have reclaimed the top spot.
Brian Magiri is a passionate sports journalist and all-around sports enthusiast. He loves diving into the worlds of football, rugby, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, bringing stories to life with energy and insight. For Brian, anything exciting happening in sports is worth exploring and sharing.
