No story captured Kenyan football’s current crossroads more than the recent Harambee Stars vs Chad friendly matches. Under the cool glare of Moroccan floodlights, Kenya’s men’s national team began to outline a new vision under Benni McCarthy—a vision still fragile, tentative and raw, but brimming with hope and refreshingly candid leadership. These friendlies were never just about the result; they were about process, patience, and the tender emergence of new heroes.
The search for an identity in international friendlies
Few coaches wear honesty on their sleeve like Benni McCarthy. Tasked with forging a cohesive squad from disparate local league stars, occasional foreign-based talents, and rising prospects, McCarthy found himself explaining not just tactics but the very journey itself. “Rome was not built in a day,” he urged, his words directed as much to impatient fans as to uncertain players. How could this not be experimental, with so many debutants and so little shared match experience?
In the first clash, Kenya dominated Chad but the scoreboard refused to budge. The result—a 0-0 draw—was frustrating not for lack of effort but for a familiar Achilles’ heel: inefficiency in front of goal. William Lenkupae, the dynamic Australian-based midfielder, regularly pierced Chad’s backline but couldn’t convert his chances, much to the chagrin of those hoping for a rout against a side ranked 177th in the world.
Embracing experimental lineups and new blood
For McCarthy, the friendlies were an opportunity—one he seized fully. He mixed local stars with foreign-based fringe players like Adam Wilson, formerly of Newcastle United, and Lenkupae, deployable both in attack and midfield. Speaking candidly, McCarthy said, “These are the kind of games where you want to assess certain players… I wanted to see what Adam is capable of. I can’t wait for World Cup qualifiers to call him up and not know what he brings to the table.”
This willingness to give fresh faces serious minutes reflected both necessity and belief. With the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) looming, Kenya’s coach wanted to see his options in the crucible of international football, not rely on reputation or hearsay alone. The challenge lay in fusing new talent into a unit capable of competing—and evolving—on the bigger African stage.
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Frustration and lessons from the first match
Kenya’s barren draw in the first match was paradoxical. The team controlled the ball, created opportunities, yet left the pitch with heads bowed. As McCarthy put it, “When you dominate a match like this, you obviously have to be very disappointed that you didn’t win, that you didn’t score goals.” Still, he resisted the temptation to lash out or make drastic changes for spectacle’s sake. Instead, the approach was measured: analyze, adjust, and encourage the group to stay patient with each other and the process.
Turning the corner with determination and belief
Redemption arrived swiftly in the rematch, with the Harambee Stars responding to their coach’s challenge with a display of incisive football and a much sweeter outcome. The 2-1 win against Chad was more than just McCarthy’s maiden victory as Kenya’s coach—it was a vindication of a collective about-face in mentality and execution.
FC Talanta’s Emmanuel Osoro made a dream debut, scoring after just 18 minutes and later providing the assist for Bandari’s David Sakwa to double the lead before halftime. Osoro’s movement, energy, and confidence were symbolic of what McCarthy is cultivating: a team where young, hungry talents grasp their moments. Sakwa, too, highlighted the group’s newfound belief. “The squad is ready, we just want fans and Kenyans to believe in us,” he said, echoing the importance of patience and unity.
McCarthy’s tactical tweaks and stronger midfield presence
In the second match, McCarthy rewarded FC Talanta’s Osoro with a start—and was repaid with a goal and an assist. Tactical changes rippled through the lineup: Bandari’s Farouk Shikhalo replaced Brian Bwire in goal, and the defensive pairing was shuffled to allow Gor Mahia’s Sylvester Owino and Mohamed Siraj to man the centre. In midfield, the focus was on energy and creativity: Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, and Ben Stanley Omondi controlled proceedings, driving the team forward with intent.
Odhiambo, in particular, was the creative lynchpin. Having impressed off the bench in the first match, he started in the second and was “crucial” according to McCarthy. The coach was clear about where Odhiambo can shine: just behind the striker, orchestrating in the final third, dangerous whenever he’s allowed proximity to goal. “Austin playing in the No.10 role instead of dropping deeper to collect the ball from midfield… he is more dangerous when he is higher up the pitch in the final third,” McCarthy analyzed.
Gor Mahia’s fingerprints on the new generation
No review of these matches would be complete without acknowledging the influence of Gor Mahia’s players. Four of their stars—Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Alphonse Omija, and Sylvester Owino—left their mark over the two games. Onyango’s assured performances in both matches made him a midfield anchor, breaking up play and providing rhythm. Odhiambo’s creative burst was invaluable, and both Omija and Owino provided defensive solidity at crucial junctures, suggesting that Gor Mahia’s tradition of feeding the national side is alive and well.
Leadership, camaraderie, and McCarthy’s promise
Perhaps the most notable transformation, though, has been off the pitch. Several players, from “rookies” like Osoro to established club leaders, spoke about the positive environment McCarthy is creating. “Coach is communicating well and treats us like his boys, which makes it easy in training and it makes you want to push harder to make him happy,” Sakwa shared.
McCarthy’s own reflections encompassed both hard truths and optimism. He praised the team for absorbing his instructions and highlighted the pivotal role of players like Brian Mandela and Adam Wilson in raising standards for their home-based teammates. The coach’s focus is evident: “What we lacked was being clinical and I think the training session we did yesterday [before the match] was about players being comfortable on the ball and what you do when you get past the halfway line, and then attack with speed.”
Building for CHAN and beyond
The Harambee Stars’ preparation for CHAN is now on firmer footing. The blend of experimental lineups, tactical adaptations, and a patient, process-oriented philosophy offers hope. McCarthy knows the pressure will remain, both from those who demand immediate results and from the players themselves. Yet, this window in Morocco demonstrated that the patience he has called for is starting to pay tangible dividends.
This rebuilding phase is as much about forging belief as it is about technical progress. The upcoming CHAN tournament, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will be the true litmus test: can these new heroes, molded by adversity and guided by a steady hand, make Harambee Stars’ dreams a reality?
What we learned from Kenya’s friendlies against Chad
- The emergence of young players like Osoro and Sakwa shows there is new attacking potential in the squad,
- Gor Mahia’s influence remains pivotal with four standout performers helping bring stability,
- McCarthy’s tactical flexibility and focus on building chemistry are beginning to bear fruit.
The patient journey continues
Kenyan football, in this period, walks a fine line between impatience and optimism. The Harambee Stars vs Chad friendly matches may have provided only a small sample, but under Benni McCarthy’s guidance, it is already clear: this is a national team on a journey, learning its steps but daring to dream again. Each game is a new chapter—and if the players and their coach have their way, the best is yet to come.
