Benni McCarthy defended on Kenya squad selection

Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has been defended on his squad selection despite facing criticism over the same in recent weeks.

While naming the squad for the on-going FIFA Series in Rwanda, the South African legend was questioned on his selection with former AFC Leopards legend Reginald Asibwa among those who spoke out.

Kenya will play in the #FIFAseries 3rd place play-off tomorrow

Kenya 🆚 Grenada
⌚ 5PM
🏟 Amahoro Stadium#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/wNZDqsO46N

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 29, 2026

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula questioned McCarthy’s criteria especially questioning the absence of striker Moses Shumah, who is currently the top scorer in the Zambian Super League for champions Power Dynamos.

Coaches are hired to make decisions

“Right now, it is pre-season for the coach,” former Harambee Stars coach Zedekiah Otieno said on Radio 47. “The tournament is AFCON and right now, if you tell him to select this or that player, whom will you blame?”

The former Gor Mahia coach added: “Coaches are hired to make decisions like who will make the team, where they will camp, training drills etc.”

He insisted: “So if you want to pick players for me, then when we lose what will you say? Will you still castigate me and you are the one who chose for me the players?

“Let me choose my players and move with them. Right now, his target and even if I was the coach, is the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. These are preparations towards the Cup of Nations.”

Players should not lose hope

Otieno concluded: “We still have one year left, these players not chosen should not lose hope but keep working hard. The AFCON team is not being selected from this game against Estonia. Let them keep working and the coach will still see them.”

Harambee Stars is currently in Rwanda where they lost their FIFA Series opener 4-5 on penalties against Estonia. The two sides had tied the game 1-1.

Kenya will now face Grenada, who lost 4-0 against Rwanda, in the third-place playoff.