Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has defended his squad amid growing scrutiny over their recent run of winless results, calling for patience and understanding from fans and the media.
The former Manchester United first team coach explained that building a competitive national team takes time. McCarthy said he’s focused on long-term development, not quick fixes or overnight miracles.
“You guys have to understand; the media and the fans have to understand that Rome wasn’t built in one day; you cannot just come in and make magic,” McCarthy said in an interview on June 10, 2025 after a winless streak of three games.
While supporters have grown frustrated by the team’s recent performance, McCarthy said expectations for instant success are unrealistic, especially for a squad in transition. He urged Kenyans to trust the process and recognize that developing a competitive side requires time, effort, and strategic planning.
“You’re not going to just come in there, and then I make magic… Then you’ll have a castle, no?” he added.
McCarthy noted the difficulty of blending players from different clubs into a unified national squad. He stressed that it takes more than talent at the local league level to succeed internationally.
“I’m not going to have just a magic wand, and I’ve got the perfect squad. I need to get to know these players,” he said.
“I have to see their qualities. I have to see what they are capable of at an international level because they aren’t playing for Leopards, Tusker, or Gor Mahia. They are playing now for Kenya, the national team.”
McCarthy revealed that his current focus is on assessing players and determining who has the potential to move forward with the team into upcoming tournaments, including the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
“So yeah, we’re trying to build, so I want to see the levels of players, and I want to see which other players I’m going to move forward with when we come to CHAN,” he explained.
While many may look to World Cup qualifiers as the primary goal, McCarthy made it clear that his vision for Harambee Stars goes beyond one tournament.
“It’s not only about the World Cup,” he said. “We’re also looking ahead to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and building a strong foundation.”
