Benny McCarthy talks about why he didn't call up Gor Mahia!

Benni McCarthy, head coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars, is facing heavy criticism following the team’s underwhelming performances in the recent World Cup qualifiers. Kenya drew 3-3 with Gambia before suffering a heavy 3-1 defeat to Gabon, leaving fans questioning McCarthy’s squad selection—particularly his decision to exclude players from Gor Mahia and Tusker FC.

Why Were Key Players Left Out?

The South African coach explained that his hands were tied due to club commitments. "Gor Mahia and Tusker requested to keep their players longer for domestic league matches," McCarthy told Mozzart. "Tusker faced Posta Rangers, while Gor Mahia played Bandari. We agreed to their request, but it meant I couldn’t call up players I hadn’t assessed properly."

Limited Time for Player Evaluation

McCarthy emphasized that he only had three days to evaluate local talent before finalizing his squad. "I can’t select players I haven’t seen play or know nothing about," he said. "The available players during that window were the ones I chose. It wasn’t ideal, but we had to adapt."

Pressure Mounts on McCarthy

The disappointing results have intensified scrutiny on the coach’s decisions. With Kenya’s World Cup qualifying hopes taking a hit, fans and pundits are demanding answers.