Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has hit back at growing criticism from Harambee Stars supporters, firmly defending his team selections ahead of Friday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Bafana Bafana.
McCarthy was unveiled as Kenya’s head coach in March 2025 to widespread excitement across the East African nation.
Widely regarded as South Africa’s most decorated footballer—and the only South African to have lifted the UEFA Champions League—the all-time Bafana Bafana top goalscorer initially earned glowing praise from Kenyan fans during the 2025 African Nations Championship [CHAN], which the country co-hosted.
The former FC Porto and Orlando Pirates striker guided the Harambee Stars to a first-place finish in Group A before suffering a heartbreaking quarter-final exit via a penalty shootout defeat to Madagascar.
However, the honeymoon period quickly faded after the tournament, with sections of the Kenyan fanbase turning on the South African-born tactician over accusations of selecting out-of-form players.
BENNI MCCARTHY RESPONDS TO KENYA SELECTION CRITICISM
Speaking to journalists in Soweto ahead of the clash against his home nation, McCarthy brushed off the backlash, insisting he refuses to be swayed by outside noise.
“Yeah, in Kenya they say whatever they want to—their freedom of speech is really freedom of speech,” said McCarthy at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday afternoon.
“People say whatever they want to, and I think if I had listened my whole life to what people have said, do you think I would be sitting here, or I would have achieved whatever I have achieved? So, I think the noise outside is always just noise, and you’re never going to be able to please everyone.
“We know, and the players know, what we’re building and what we’re trying to do. Of course, not everybody’s going to like it. If your favourite player is maybe not selected, then of course you criticise the coach, or you criticise the team, and that comes as part of this job, you know,” he added.
MCCARTHY ON MAKING TOUGH CALLS AS HARAMBEE STARS COACH
The former Manchester United first-team coach—who celebrated his 49th birthday on Thursday, 12 November—maintained that making unpopular decisions is simply part of the territory in international management.
“Being a manager is about making decisions that not many people will be able to make—the difficult ones—and you’re going to have to be prepared to be criticised for it. So, that’s the situation, and that’s how it is.”
Friday’s showdown between Bafana Bafana and Kenya takes place at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 CAT.
Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana currently top Group D and will be targeting maximum points against McCarthy’s side to strengthen their grip on a spot at next year’s continental showpiece.
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