Shimanyula calls on Kenya to fire coach Benni McCarthy

Following their 8-0 thrashing against Senegal in a friendly fixture, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has called on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to send packing head coach Benni McCarthy.

After losing 1-0 against Equatorial Guinea, Harambee Stars came up against the Lions of Teranga at the Mardan Sports Complex, in Antalya, Turkey during the November FIFA international break.

However, the game turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Sadio Mane-led Senegal raced into a 3-0 lead with only 15 minutes played.

‘Kenya doesn’t deserve to lose like this’

“It was a very painful defeat, we have never lost like this in a long time. We don’t deserve to lose like this, it was shameful,” Shimanyula told Flashscore.

“The coach was missing in training (before the team left for Turkey), he was not around, and he only met the team in Turkey. Is the coach really committed to his work?

“A coach who loves his job needs to stay with the players for a long time as possible. I was surprised the assistant coach took charge of training sessions before the team left. That was very unprofessional from McCarthy, he ought to have been around to prepare the team.

“For now I propose that FKF go out and get a new coach. In my opinion, a local coach can do better. We need to trust a local coach and give him required support, and a free hand to do his work.”

Shimanyula further disagreed with the former Manchester United assistant coach on his team selection criteria.

He said: “For example, Homeboyz are second in the Premier League but we don’t have a single player in Harambee Stars from the team. AFC Leopards are currently doing very well, but there is no single player in McCarthy’s squad from the team.”

Kenya’s worst ever defeat came in 1961 when they lost 13-2 against Ghana during a friendly to celebrate Jamhuri Day. At the time, the Black Stars had a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong.

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