Benni McCarthy's Squad Revealed – Who Made the Cut?
Kenya’s Harambee Stars are jetting off to Marrakech for back-to-back friendlies against Chad on June 7th & 10th, and coach Benni McCarthy has finally named his squad.
No last-minute surprises—except for Victor Wanyama’s absence (turns out un-retiring doesn’t mean you’ll actually show up). The ex-captain is stuck in the UK with "personal commitments," so Gor Mahia’s Austine Odhiambo gets the nod instead.
Squad Breakdown: Who’s In?
Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, Sepstianos Wekesa
Defenders: Brian Mandela, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Siraj Mohammed, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari, Swaleh Pamba, Lewis Bandi
Midfielders: Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Ben Stanley Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, Mohammed Bajaber, William Lenkupae, Adam Wilson, James Kinyanjui, David Sakwa
Forwards: Beja Nyamawi, Moses Shumah, Emmanuel Osoro
A few fresh faces—like Kenneth Nyamwaya & Swaleh Pamba—earned their first call-ups. Will they shine, or will this be a classic case of "friendly match, experimental lineup, and mild panic"?
Why These Matches Matter
With CHAN 2025 looming in August, Benni McCarthy needs answers:
✔ Who’s ready for the big stage?
✔ Can the midfield function without Wanyama?
✔ Will the defense hold up against Chad’s attack?
Since both games are in neutral Morocco, there’s no "home advantage" to lean on—just pure, unfiltered football.
Kenya vs Chad: Head-to-Head & Predictions
Historical Stats (Or Lack Thereof)
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These two don’t meet often, so there’s barely any history to analyze.
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Chad’s recent form? Mystery. (Their stats are harder to find than a quiet matatu in Nairobi traffic.)
Prediction: A Tight Affair?
Kenya has more structure, but Chad could spring a surprise. Expect:
✅ A scrappy first game (players adjusting)
✅ A sharper second game (Benni’s tactics kicking in)
❌ No clear blowout (this isn’t FIFA on amateur mode)
Final Verdict: 1-0 or 1-1—low scoring, but hopefully entertaining!
Final Thoughts: What’s at Stake?
These friendlies are more than just warm-ups—they’re auditions for CHAN 2025. If Kenya struggles, Benni might need to rethink his lineup. If they dominate? Well, maybe we can start dreaming bigger.
Your Turn:
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Who are you most excited to see play?
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Score predictions?
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Should Wanyama have been there, or was it time to move on?