Bankroller and owner of Kakamega Homeboyz, Cleophas Shimanyula has called for the immediate sacking of Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy following their humiliating defeat to Senegal.
The Harambee Stars suffered their worst ever defeat in 47-years under the South African tactician, succumbing to 8-0 loss to the Taranga Lions in an international friendly match early November.
Reeling from the humiliating defeat, Cleophas Shimanyula has called on the Kenyan Football Federation to show Benni McCarthy the exit door, while advocating for a local trainer for the national team.
“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, chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz, 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.”
McCarthy is tasked with ensuring he assembles a team to compete with Africa’s best in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nation when the East African country hosts the continental competition.
The Kakamega Homeboyz owner was disappointed that McCarthy only selected players from certain teams in the league, while also questioning why no one from his team was picked, along with players from other teams performing well.
Shimanyula believes that the 48-year-old has ‘killed’ the team by failing to create competition among the squad.
“In the current squad, most players are guaranteed a starting role,” he said. “This creates laxity amongst the players because they know that even if they commit mistakes, they will still start the next match. But with proper competition in each position, it will help the players to wake up,” he added.
“Everyone Kenyan nowadays knows which players will be called up whenever McCarthy intends to name his squad, and this is what is killing the team,” Shimanyula concluded.
