Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is under increasing pressure to rejuvenate his squad ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Following Kenya’s unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stakeholders are urging McCarthy to prioritize the integration of young, local talent into the national team.
Tom Alila, a former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential candidate, has been vocal about the need for this strategic shift.
Alila emphasized the importance of utilizing the CHAN tournament, which exclusively features players from domestic leagues, as a platform to develop the next generation of Kenyan footballers.
“The national coach must now focus on young, local players. CHAN is the right platform for them. Someone like Olunga is experienced, yes, but it’s time we build the next generation,” Alila told Citizen Digital.
“The coach must scout our leagues and give local players a chance.”
McCarthy, who was appointed as the Harambee Stars coach in March 2025, has previously expressed his commitment to integrating young players into the squad.
The upcoming CHAN tournament, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August, presents a timely opportunity for McCarthy to implement this approach.
