Kenya legend Sammy Omollo has issued a firm warning to Benni McCarthy, stating it is “high time” for the coach to improve his performance, as Harambee Stars fans are rapidly losing patience.
The Bafana Bafana all-time top scorer guided Kenya to a fourth-worst record defeat when they were hammered 8-0 by Senegal in an international friendly match in Turkey on Tuesday. It was also the heaviest defeat suffered by McCarthy in his career as a coach.
The former Orlando Pirates frontman had no answers as Sadio Mane struck a hat-trick and Nicolas Jackson grabbed a brace. Tuesday’s results came fresh from Kenya losing 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea in another international friendly game.
Since being eliminated from the CHAN party in their own backyard, they have registered four defeats and two wins, something that does not please Omollo.
KENYA LEGEND DOES NOT SEE ANY PROGRESS UNDER BENNI
The former Gor Mahia defender Omollo insists that the Harambee Stars lack direction and are currently on a backslide.
“We are all disappointed with the result, 8-0 is something we didn’t expect. Inasmuch as it was a friendly game against one of Africa’s powerful teams, I think we should have done better,” Omollo told FARPost.
“It’s somehow embarrassing to us, and I think Benni should do something. I believe that since we played our CHAN games, we have not had that consistency, we have not had good results.
“We have lost against Gambia and Ivory Coast. I’m not seeing any progress. In fact, the team is regressing, which is quite sad because by now we could have seen some big improvements from our team, but we are not seeing that.
“We are in a position in which we don’t have a first XI. Basically, we have tried every player. Like when we played against Senegal, we could see new players. I know as much as Benni wants to build a strong team for AFCON, which we are hosting, we should have direction.”
‘PLAYERS FAILED MCCARTHY’ BUT QUESTIONS AROUND BENNI STARTING TO POP UP
McCarthy is being criticised for frequently rotating his team as well as dropping key players, especially his captain, Michael Olunga.
“We should have players we know that are ready to play these games. Playing against Senegal, could we put our best players in that game so that we can measure how they have progressed?” Omollo asked.
“I believe some players failed McCarthy, and it shows that on the big stage, they cannot be relied on. But I believe, by now, McCarthy should have his team, and the team should be progressing.
“When you lose such games by a bigger margin, it knocks off your confidence, and sometimes people start asking questions. Is this guy the right man to take the team forward? Are these players the right ones to play for the Harambee Stars?
“Questions will come, but I believe McCarthy knows what he is doing. But it is high time now, we should have a stable team. Sometimes, especially in Kenya, they say coaches come and go.”
STERN WARNING AS KENYANS ARE RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE
McCarthy’s Harambee Stars mandate is to build a competitive team for the 2027 AFCON, which Kenya will co-host with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania. But there are already questions if the Bafana great will last to see off the AFCON project.
“Coaches will only go when they don’t post good results, and I’m really worried about what will happen next. I don’t know if we will be patient with our coach. Kenya, being Kenya, we are not patient with coaches. We always want instant results,” Omollo added.
“I don’t think Benni is to blame for that result. I was surprised that he was not aware of the friendly. So was he prepared well for the friendly? That is a question we have to ask.
“Benni should get his team by now because time is running out. If we have these kind of results, pressure will be on him.”
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