Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has staunchly defended his squad selection for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), emphasizing that every player was chosen on merit.
McCarthy unveiled his provisional squad earlier this week ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on August 2. Kenya finds itself in a challenging Group A alongside continental giants Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia.
The squad announcement sparked debate, with critics questioning the inclusion of players recently returning from injury and the omission of several in-form stars. But the South African tactician remains firm in his decisions.
“You can’t please everyone—and I’m not here to please people. I’m here to bring success to this country,” McCarthy told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.
He explained that selections were made based on performance during recent local training camps, in line with CHAN rules that restrict participation to players based in domestic leagues.
“This is a tournament for locally-based players. When we were playing World Cup qualifiers, we used international talent. But now, it’s about the players we’ve seen working hard in camp—day in and day out,” he said.
McCarthy, whose coaching résumé includes a stint at Manchester United and a stellar playing career with top European clubs like Ajax, FC Porto, and Blackburn Rovers, believes his experience justifies his choices.
“Not everyone will agree with the squad, and that’s fine. But not everyone has walked the path I’ve walked. I know what talent looks like, and I believe this group can take Kenya forward,” he added.
The former striker also made it clear that Kenya is aiming high at CHAN—not just to participate but to contend for the title.
“We’re not going there to make up the numbers. We want to make a statement, go as far as possible, and hopefully lift the trophy. This team has what it takes to get the job done,” McCarthy declared.
