‘McCarthy could have started the CHAN squad’ - Kenyans express frustrations after Gambia defeat
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 06.09.25. | 19:12
Expectedly, Kenyans were a bitter lot after watching the underwhelming performance from the national team
Harambee Stars fans were a disappointed lot following Kenya's heavy 3-1 defeat at the hands of The Gambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday, 5 September.
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Kenyan fans were coming off the back of a rather successful African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign, where Harambee Stars won three and drew two of their five matches.
However, the joy and expectations were cut short after The Gambia scored thrice in the first half through Sheriff Sinyan, Yankubah Minteh and Musa Barrow.
Kenya's consolation goal came in the 81st minute through Ryan Wesley Ogam, who secured a move to Austrian club Wolfsburger AC courtesy of his CHAN exploits.
Expectedly, Kenyans were a bitter lot after watching the underwhelming performance from the national team and spoke to Mozzart Sport as well as taking to social media to express their opinions.
“The coach messed us up today. That was such poor fielding. He could have started with the CHAN squad, which is tried and tested and maybe add two or three players from the international brigade.
We have always complained about the performance of the international-based players, and that was very clear against Gabon.
Going forward, coach Benni McCarthy needs to bring back the CHAN squad and make them the core of the team,” Mark Onyango told Mozzart Sport after the match.
His sentiments were similar to those of Diana Kirui, who had started to religiously follow Harambee Stars at CHAN.
“I used to be a dormant Harambee Stars fan until CHAN, where we performed exemplary well.
I was hoping that we would make it even better with the addition of international players, but what we have just witnessed is extremely disappointing.
It is better to just play the team that we saw at CHAN that expressed the willingness and fighting spirit, unlike the one that has just been walking on the pitch.”
Kenyans inside the packed Kasarani Stadium began demanding substitutions in the first half and especially after conceding the second goal.
McCarthy responded by asking Alpha Onyango and Marvin Nabwire to warm up, but did not make substitutions until halftime, when he introduced Alpha Onyango and Manzur Okwaro for the Europe-based duo of Timothy Ouma and Richard Odada.
These substitutions justified the feelings of a section of Kenyans about the team they want.
“It is absurd that even with the presence of international players, we had to resort to the local lads to stabilise our team.
That we started with a European-based midfield that was ineffective and had to rely on Alpha and Manzur shows the kind of attitude that these internationals have towards our team.
Olunga (Michael) was off-colour throughout the game, yet Ogam, who has only played one season in the Kenyan league, needed only 15 minutes to show what he is capable of,” remarked Fredrick Terry.
On the Harambee Stars Facebook page, Sospeter Kimari’s frustrations were clear.
“I submit that we are wasting taxpayers' money to pay air tickets for these internationals who come to give poor performances in matches.
Apart from Sichenje (Collins), all these pros were just below average and do not deserve to be called to the national team,” said Kimari.
The expressions were similar on Mozzart Sport senior writer Kevin Teya's Facebook page.
“One big problem we have in this squad is that the foreign players don't play with passion; they think they already made it, unlike the local players, who play with passion since they are after something like getting a chance one day to play outside Kenya," said Gloria Soloskiy.
However, Peter Sindani had a different opinion from the majority of fans.
“The match exposed the big difference in quality between the Kenyan Squad and the Gambian one.
We all saw why Minteh is in the starting lineup of an English Premier League (EPL) side. I feel like the match was decided on quality.”
