'Good headache' for McCarthy as Kenya squad impresses – Kimani

Photo Credit - FKF Media.

Kenya assistant national team coach Anthony Kimani says the competition in camp has given head coach Benni McCarthy a selection headache ahead of their back-to-back friendlies against Chad at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.

The sides' first match will be played on Saturday, June 7, before they meet again on Tuesday, June 10 at the same venue. This will be the third and fourth matches that coach McCarthy has taken charge of Harambee Stars.

According to Kimani, players in the camp have shown great improvement, giving the South African legend a selection headache heading into the two matches. Following the last-minute withdrawal of Kenya Police midfielder Mohammed Bajaber due to injury, McCarthy was forced to travel with a squad of 23 players.

“The mood in camp is great, and every player who has been selected is trying to give his best. I think they are giving us a very good headache about who to select to start the game against Chad.

“Everyone is raring to go, everyone is showing the coach that they want to represent us come June 7 against Chad, and as I said earlier, it is a good headache for us as the technical bench,” said Kimani.

The former Police FC tactician continued: “We have selected the best squad at the moment, and of course as the coach said, there is more room for more players to come on board, so the ones who have been selected this time, have got a very good opportunity to show the coach what they have got, so that they can be part of the team going forward.

“But that does not shut the door. The national team is always a revolving door, any player that is still doing very well outside there, I am pretty sure he is going to catch the eye of the coach and will be part of the team going forward.”

It will be the first time the sides have met in any competition.