Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has reflected on his team’s struggles in their recent match against Gabon at Nyayo National Stadium. Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a major setback following a 2-1 defeat at home.
Despite the enthusiastic support from the home crowd, Kenya found it difficult to contain the Panthers, who secured victory thanks to a brace from star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Michael Olunga’s goal briefly lifted the spirits of the home fans, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match.
Following the loss, McCarthy admitted that his squad struggled with cohesion, which he attributed to the limited time he has had to work with the players. “As a team, they had more togetherness than we had,” he stated during a post-match interview. “I’ve only been here a very short while, and there’s only so much you can try and change in one week. So, it was difficult.”
Despite the disappointment, McCarthy expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Kenyan fans, who turned up in large numbers to cheer their team. It was a significant moment for Harambee Stars, as this was their first home game in over two years due to the closure of Nyayo and Kasarani for renovations.
“We are grateful for the support from the people of Kenya. Wow, this was the most enjoyable experience I’ve had even compared to playing in Europe,” he said. “This is what African football should be about; it was just beautiful. Unfortunately, we couldn’t give the fans the joy of a win, something to celebrate. But what we can promise is that we will improve we will get better.”
The loss leaves Harambee Stars in a challenging position in their World Cup qualification campaign. However, McCarthy remains optimistic and determined to bring improvements to the team. With more time and preparation, he believes Kenya can become a more cohesive and competitive side in the upcoming fixtures.
The defeat highlights the challenges the team faces, but also the potential for growth under McCarthy’s leadership. As the qualification journey continues, fans will be hoping for a turnaround in the team’s fortunes and a stronger performance in the matches ahead.
