- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy Clarifies Masoud Juma’s Inclusion in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Provisional Squad.
- McCarthy explained that Juma had recently signed with a local club in the National Super League (NSL), making him eligible for the continental competition, which is reserved for players active in domestic leagues.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed the main reason behind his decision to include forward Masoud Juma in the provisional squad that traveled to the CECAFA tournament in Tanzania.
Juma was among the final 25 players selected for the trip before Kenya eventually withdrew from the competition.
However, his inclusion sparked surprise among many Kenyans, as his call-up came at the last minute, and he was, at the time, a free agent without a club.
This led to speculation that he might not be eligible to participate.
Juma has signed with a local club
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, July 23, during a training session at Nyayo National Stadium, McCarthy clarified that Juma had recently signed with a local team, making him eligible for the continental competition which is exclusive to players in domestic leagues.
Masoud Juma is a player who was communicated to us as having returned to the country and signed with a second division team, so he was eligible to play.
If I wanted to include him in the squad, I was fully within my rights to do so because he is registered in the local league,” McCarthy stated.
Why Benni McCarthy called up Masoud Juma
The former Manchester United first-team coach who once had the chance to sign Juma while managing Cape Town City, praised the striker’s abilities, emphasizing that overlooking him would be a tactical misjudgment.
Masoud is a player whose qualities I know very well. I had him in the international camp group, and he played a huge part in the team.
As a coach who worked in South Africa, I was the one who signed him for Cape Town City.
I know Juma’s qualities, and when you have that type of talent available, you would not be a smart coach if you chose not to include such a player in the national team.”
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Juma to inspire young players in the Harambee Stars squad
He also highlighted Juma’s wealth of experience having featured in leagues across Libya, Morocco, and most recently Iran where he played for Esteghlal FC.
McCarthy believes this international exposure will be invaluable for the younger players in the squad.
“After many years playing abroad in Asia, Africa and the Arab region, he’s now back in Kenya, and he brings a wealth of experience.
We have a number of young players in the squad, and someone like Masoud can be a great mentor to them,” the coach added.
We are currently monitoring his form and fitness in training. If he continues to perform at the level we expect, we will absolutely include him in the squad.”
ALSO READ: McCarthy reveals key reason behind Harambee Stars’ CECAFA tournament pull-out
The former Kariobangi Sharks forward is currently training with intensity, determined to secure a spot in the final 23-man roster for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off in less than two weeks.
The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to August 30.
Harambee Stars provisional squad
Goalkeepers
Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, Sebastian Wekesa
Defenders
Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Pamba Swaleh, Aboud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, Kevin Okumu
Midfielders
Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Marvin Nabwire, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, Boniface Muchiri
Forwards
Mohammed Bajaber, David Sakwa, Ryan Ochieng, Felix Oluoch, Austin Odongo, Masud Juma