- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy hits back at critics questioning Harambee Stars selection.
- AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi questioned the criteria used in selecting players, alleging bias against his club.
- This is after McCarthy called up players who have not been actively involved in competitive football in recent weeks.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has strongly defended his squad selection ahead of the upcoming FIFA Series 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, insisting that his decisions are based on performance, competition level and what is best for the national team.
Kenya is set to face European side Estonia in their opening match of the tournament with the team expected to depart the country on Tuesday morning.
The Bafana Bafana legend has come under scrutiny from football stakeholders and fans following his latest call-ups, particularly the inclusion of players who have not been actively involved in competitive football in recent weeks.
Among those questioned is midfielder William Lenkupae who is currently unattached after parting ways with Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura and has not featured in a competitive match this year.
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Simba forward Mohammed Bajaber has also attracted attention after earning a call-up despite his recent injury setback. Bajaber last played competitive football on January 18 against Mtibwa Sugar, where he featured for only 12 minutes before being withdrawn due to injury.
Their inclusion has sparked debate, especially with in-form players such as SportPesa League top scorer Joe Waithira and Zambia Premier League leading scorer Moses Shumah missing out on the squad.
The selection controversy escalated after AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi openly questioned the criteria used in selecting players, alleging bias against his club.
“These people hate AFC Leopards. They do not like AFC Leopards. I do not have much to say, but I know they do not like us,” Mulindi expressed his frustration.
He further urged players at the club not to be discouraged by the snub, emphasizing that their careers should not revolve around national team selection.
“But we have told our players not to worry because it is not a must for them to play for Harambee Stars,” he continued.
“Let them focus on playing football because this is their life; it is their career. We will find ways to get scouts to come and watch them.”
Mulindi also pointed to AFC Leopards’ strong league performance as justification for national team representation.
“I know, and I say it from my heart, that they hate AFC Leopards. We do not have a problem, but the bias is there. We are second on the league table and we do not have even a single player in the national team,” he added.
McCarthy hits back at critics questioning Harambee Stars selection
However, McCarthy has dismissed the criticism, maintaining that football decisions cannot satisfy everyone and that he will stand by players who have delivered since his arrival.
“Football is a global sport where you are never going to satisfy everyone; you have to do what’s right for you, what’s right for the team and what’s right for what you know.
A lot of the players that you see here are the ones that have done well for me since I arrived here, so I am not going to turn my back on anybody because some coaches are crying. They need to worry about their position on the logs with their teams,” McCarthy stated.
The South African tactician also emphasized that local-based players are still under close observation and that opportunities remain open for those who prove themselves.
“If the players are better than the ones we have selected then they have a case, but up until then I am yet to be proven wrong, so I am going to stick to that.
We are monitoring all the players in the local league and if you do well we do select, but if we have players abroad in a much stronger competition why would you not select a player that plays in a strong competition,” he added.
Harambee Stars will begin their FIFA Series campaign against Estonia on March 27 at Amahoro Stadium with the second match scheduled for March 30 depending on the outcome of the opening fixture.
The upcoming FIFA Series will offer McCarthy an opportunity to test his squad against international opposition while also assessing the depth and readiness of his team ahead of future competitive assignments with AFCON 2027 on the horizon.
Harambee Stars FIFA Series Fixtures
Kenya vs Estonia – March 27, 6 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 – March 30, 9 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
Loser Match 1 vs Loser Match 2 – March 30, 6 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
Harambee Stars final squad
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno
Defenders: Manzur Okwaro, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Austine Odhiambo, Will Lenkupae, Mohammed Bajaber
Forwards: Job Ochieng, Zech Obiero, Clarke Oduor, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth, Ben Stanley