- McCarthy called up 11 players from Gor Mahia and Tusker for the provisional squad, but only two made the final cut.
- The head coach cited the clubs’ refusal to release players as the main reason for their exclusion.
- Only five domestic league players made the final 24-player squad.
Only five players who feature in the domestic Football Kenya Federation Premier League were selected for the final Harambee Stars squad that faced Gambia and Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers played on the 20th and 23rd of March respectively.
With key players like Gor creative midfielder Austin Odhiambo, who is the reigning Most Valuable Player, missing from the squad, Benni McCarthy has finally revealed the reasoning behind the exclusion of some of the top players from Gor Mahia and Tusker who had initially been included in the provisional squad.
In the provisional squad of 45 players, Gor Mahia had seven representatives: Sylvester Owino, Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija, Austin Odhiambo, Lawrence Juma, Ben Stanley and Alpha Onyango.
Tusker FC had four in Brian Opondo, Chrispine Erambo, Eric Balecho and Ryan Ogam.
However, only two of the eight players from these two clubs received the final call-up: Ronney Onyango and Ben Stanley.
Gor Mahia and Tusker refused to release their players
Nevertheless, McCarthy explained that the main reason behind the exclusion of players from these clubs was the teams’ refusal to release them.
The clubs insisted on retaining the players, leaving McCarthy with no option but to drop them from the final squad.
“When I arrived, I only had three days, and I asked the clubs in the country to allow me to assess some of their best players in the Kenyan league, as it seemed only fair.
The players who were presented to me were those who showed potential to develop into excellent players in the future,” McCarthy explained in a press conference following the 1-2 defeat by Gabon on Sunday.
READ MORE: Reason why Gor Mahia, Tusker players missed first Harambee Stars session under McCarthy
He added that while players from Tusker and Gor Mahia had been called up, the clubs refused to release them.
“Gor Mahia did not permit their players to attend, and they requested permission to retain some of their players. Tusker also asked not to release their players, which didn’t sit well with me. However, I’m not going to select players I haven’t observed or don’t know enough about.
That’s the main reason why you didn’t see players from Gor Mahia in the squad; I didn’t have the opportunity to evaluate them. I couldn’t call them based on someone else’s assessment,” the coach clarified.
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Players must prove themselves to get a chance
He emphasized that players need to be observed in action, not simply recommended by others. He added that there is significant untapped potential in the country.
“I did not achieve the career I have by simply listening to another coach or anyone else telling me ‘This player is the best in our league.’ If I don’t see you, you won’t be selected. It’s as simple as that.”
“There is a lot of potential in this country. Many talented young players are in the Kenyan league, and I will be visiting teams, watching players train with their clubs, and providing opportunities to invite them,” McCarthy reiterated.
Now, the former Amazulu head coach has approximately four months to finalize his ideal squad for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 which Kenya is set to co-host in August.
This tournament will exclusively feature domestic players competing in local leagues.