Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has praised Gor Mahia midfielder Ben Stanley Omondi for his contribution in Kenya’s 1-1 draw against Eritrea in the opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
Stanley came off the bench when Kenya were trailing and quickly made his presence felt, playing a key role in the move that produced Ryan Ogam’s equaliser.
The midfielder remained lively after his introduction, showing confidence on the ball and making several attempts to help Kenya find a way back into the game.
His performance was particularly significant after McCarthy had faced criticism over his decision to continue selecting the midfielder for the national team.
Stanley has not been an outright starter for Gor Mahia, leading to questions from some sections of Kenyan football over his repeated inclusion in the Harambee Stars squad. However, McCarthy has continued to back the midfielder and believes Saturday’s performance demonstrated why he has maintained faith in the former Migori Youth player.
READ MORE:AFCON 2027Q: Ogam’s late strike spares Harambee Stars embarrassment in Eritrea draw
Speaking after the match, McCarthy admitted that Stanley has been the subject of criticism but insisted that he knows the midfielder’s qualities better than his critics.
“I am very happy for Ben Stanley because he is a player who gets criticised quite a lot, and he is a player that I always get fingers pointed at for selecting him. But I know exactly what the boy is capable of. He is an exceptional talent,” McCarthy said.
The South African coach was particularly impressed by Stanley’s composure in the build-up to Ogam’s equaliser.
With Kenya searching for a way back into the match, Stanley showed patience instead of simply sending the ball into the box. He lifted his head, assessed the options available to him and delivered a quality cross into a dangerous area, allowing Ogam to finish from close range.
McCarthy believes that moment highlighted the quality he sees in the midfielder.
“When you believe in players like that, they become bigger than they actually are. And (yesterday) he showed it, the quality, the composure,” the coach added.
“When he got the ball, he could have easily pumped the ball up, but he lifted his head up to see who was in a good position, and he laid the cross and Ryan got an easy tap in.”
Ogam’s finish ensured Kenya avoided defeat after Eritrea had taken the lead, but McCarthy was keen to recognise the role Stanley played in creating the opportunity.
“He has to thank Ben Stanley for putting it on a silver platter for him,” McCarthy said.
The assist could give Stanley further confidence as he continues to fight for a more prominent role at both club and international level.
For McCarthy, however, the midfielder’s performance was another indication that his decision to keep faith in Stanley is based on what he sees from the player rather than his current status at club level.
Kenya will now look to build on the result as their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign continues, with McCarthy expected to assess his squad ahead of the next assignment slated for Thursday against Guinea.
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