Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has issued a rallying cry to his squad, insisting that administrative hurdles and disrupted preparations will not derail Kenya’s focus as they kick off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Eritrea on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The lead-up to the Group D opener has been fraught with challenges, as off-pitch friction and camp administrative issues limited the team’s training time heading into the fixture.
Reflecting on the disrupted build-up, McCarthy addressed the squad’s late start on the pitch while praising the players’ fitness and mindset.
“Today was our first training session since we got into camp. I know it’s not ideal how you want to prepare for a qualifier match but it is what it is, we had our setbacks. We just want to be professional and play to our best. Most of our players have been playing with their teams abroad and today felt good.”
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McCarthy admitted that the build-up to the opening qualification window has been exceptionally tough on the squad, but emphasized that the team must channel their frustration into on-pitch results.
“We have faced incredible difficulties off the pitch from unpaid allowances to issues that should never be present in a professional national team setup. But once we step onto that pitch, all of that stays in the dressing room. We have a duty to perform for the country.”
“These situations build character. If we can stay united through this storm and get the result on Saturday, it shows the mental strength of this team. We want to make the fans proud.”
With the absence of Michael Olunga confirmed, the decision on captaincy remains open heading into matchday. McCarthy revealed that the technical team will finalize the leadership mantle after naming the starting lineup.
“We shall have a sit-down with the technical team and establish who will go out and represent us tomorrow. Previously, Abud Omar was the captain in CHAN, but we shall see how to go about it tomorrow. Once the team is sorted, then we can select the captain.”
In Olunga’s absence, the attacking responsibilities will rely on a dynamic front line featuring options like Sharif Musa, Mohammed Bajaber, and Ryan Ogam.
Eritrea arrived in Nairobi early in the week and held training sessions at the Police Sacco Grounds under head coach Hesham Yakan. The Red Sea Camels enter the fixture with momentum following back-to-back victories against Eswatini in the preliminary round.
Despite Kenya entering as favorites on paper, McCarthy warned against taking the visitors lightly, reiterating thar professional execution will be required to secure all three points at Nyayo Stadium.