Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is urging Ghanaians to exercise patience as he works to build a formidable national team. This plea comes after Kenya's goalless draw against Chad in an international friendly held in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday, June 7th. While the result sparked criticism from some fans, McCarthy insists that building a winning team takes time and requires careful assessment of players.
McCarthy's Vision for Harambee Stars
Since his appointment on a two-year contract leading up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), McCarthy has overseen three matches. These include a 3-3 draw against Gambia and a 2-1 defeat against Gabon. Despite these results, the coach remains optimistic about the future.
"I am trying to build the squad for CHAN," McCarthy explained. "These are just preparation games, friendly games, that you try and see players that you have in your disposal. Of course, I want to win, but if you don’t know a player, they haven’t played together, and they have only been here for a couple of days, then people expect them to win five, six zero, I think it is not possible."
Understanding the Players is Key
McCarthy emphasized the importance of understanding the players' capabilities and how they adapt to the demands of international football. He highlighted the difference between playing in the Kenyan league for clubs like AFC Leopards, Tusker, or Gor Mahia and representing the nation on the international stage. The coach believes that giving players time to adjust and gel as a team is crucial for future success.
- Building a team takes time.
- Players need to adjust to international level.
- Friendly matches are for assessment and preparation.
McCarthy is committed to selecting the best players and creating a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level. He is appealing for understanding and support from Ghanaian fans as he embarks on this journey.