Benni McCarthy dismisses claims of bias over Kenya squad selections

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has dismissed accusations of bias in his national team selections, insisting that criticism from Kenyan fans and pundits will not distract him from his work.

The South African tactician was speaking ahead of Kenya’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against South Africa in Johannesburg on Friday.

McCarthy has faced criticism over some of his squad selections, particularly the omission of certain players, but believes public reactions in Kenya often go beyond constructive criticism.

He suggested that some supporters use freedom of speech as an excuse to make unwarranted attacks on him and his technical team.

“In Kenya, they say whatever they want. Freedom of speech is really freedom of speech; people say whatever they want to,” McCarthy said.

The former Bafana Bafana striker insisted that he would not allow external pressure to influence his decisions, pointing to his achievements as both a player and a coach as evidence of the importance of remaining focused.

“If I had listened to what people say my whole life, I wouldn’t be sitting here and wouldn’t have achieved what I have achieved,” he added.

“The noise outside will always be there, and you will never please everyone. Not everyone will like it. Sometimes your favourite player is not selected, you are not happy with that, and what you do is criticise the coach.”

McCarthy’s comments come amid his efforts to rebuild Kenya’s national team and restore the country’s standing in African football.

The former Manchester United striker has previously promised to make difficult decisions as he seeks to develop a competitive Harambee Stars side capable of challenging the continent’s leading teams.

He acknowledged the scale of the task, particularly given the challenges facing the domestic league, but maintained that his decisions would always be guided by what he considers best for the team.

“People are expecting me to beat Bafana and the likes of Senegal, but it is not an easy task with our league not even started. But from my experience, I always say I will do what is right for the team and the process,” he said on 5 October 2026, ahead of Kenya’s meeting with Rwanda.

McCarthy will now hope his team can deliver a strong performance against South Africa as he continues his rebuilding project, with the fixture offering another opportunity to demonstrate progress under his leadership.