Table of Contents
- Harambee Stars squad selection is now rigorous under coach Benni McCarthy
- He has a 50-man provisional squad where each player must prove beyond doubt why they should join Harambee Stars
- The Kenyan side is set to face off with Gabon and the Gambia in their qualifiers group this month
Harambee Stars squad selection under new coach Benn McCarthy is no longer business as usual.
The South African coach insists that players looking to be selected for the team should justify why they should be in Harambee Stars.
McCarthy named his provisional 50-man squad on Wednesday in preparation for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. McCarthy, in his acceptance speech on March 3, promised to take Harambee Stars to the World Cup.
Harambee Stars Squad Selection
The Kenyan side is set to face off with Gabon and the Gambia in their qualifiers group this month.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, McCarthy said that going on camp with the team for the first time will allow him to assess the team.
Besides the skills in the field, McCarthy is keen on establishing how mentally strong the players are. He says mental fortitude is an important part of football that should not be overlooked.
Harambee Stars players at a past training session. Photo/KBC
He further explained that only players who showcase how mentally strong they are will make it to his 2026 World Cup Qualifiers squad. He believes that a strong mind is critical for a player looking at playing to the highest level for his team.
Once satisfied with the squad, the team will play against Gabon and The Gambia in the oncoming group matches.
Some of the popular faces at the Harambee Stars squad selection include William Lenkupae based in Australia, Andreas Odhiambo and Kelly Madada.
According to the former Manchester United coach, he is optimistic that his squad will be a dose of young turks needed in Harambee Stars because they have immense potential.
Having spent years playing in local leagues, each of the 50 players have a test to prove their worth in the Harambee Stars selection squad under McCarthy.
Did Kenya Qualify for 2026 World Cup?
Kenya is still in the Cup 2026 World qualifiers. Their first qualifier match under McCarthy will be on March 20. The team will play at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast against Gambian Scorpions.
He is very keen on this game to test how formidable his team is and make necessary adjustments before facing off with Gabon on March 23 at Nyayo Stadium.
For McCarthy who is Keen on changing Kenya’s football narrative, how the team responds to a foreign crowd matters a lot in the Harambee Stars selection squad.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga with unveiling Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars coach. Photo/CGTN Africa
Hostile crowds have a way of messing up with players’ morale, McCarthy said noting that this is the best test to guide Harambee Stars selection squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Besides mental fortitude, the Harambee Stars coach is Keen on improving the team’s tactical skills. He will also take lessons from how the team performs on home soil taking into consideration the massive support by Kenyan fans.
Among the things he is expecting during Harambee Stars vs Gabonese Panthers is the team’s response to Kenyans’ support and how it will motivate the players
Will McCarthy Transform Harambee Stars?
Having coached Manchester United for two years under Erik ten Hag as a first-team coach; McCarthy is optimistic of transforming Harambee Stars.
One of the deliverables in his plan is qualifying Kenya for the 2026 World Cup. As a former striker, he has plausible attack moves.
However, he is also aware that any winning team should possess mental fortitude which has elements of confidence and motivation.
