Benni McCarthy Addresses Concerns of Ethnic Profiling Among Harambee Stars Players
)
&format=webp)
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has weighed in on the dicey issue of ethnic profiling of the Kenyan national team.
There have been ugly instances when players have been targeted based on their tribes when a Harambee Stars squad is named or when they lose.
Some players have become subjects of criticism based on their tribe and not about their performances, while a section of Kenyan fans have even claimed Harambee Stars does not have a ‘national face.’
&format=webp)
While it is an issue that largely goes under the radar, despite the negative impact it can have on the squad, McCarthy feels some fans are getting it wrong when they start looking at players based on where they come from and not what they bring to the team.
McCarthy Hits Out at ‘Backward’ Thinking
“For me it was all about watching different matches, not one team and selecting one team,” McCarthy said on Sporty TV over how he selects his squad.
“I get the tribal rivalry but I am from South Africa and I have been around the world as well so I do not play in the stage where it has to be Luo, Luhyas or Kikuyu.
&format=webp)
“I do not know the Kenyan culture very well but I know the football culture which is you select players based on their abilities and talents and whoever is performing best at the time.
“That is how I selected [Harambee Stars players] and at the end of the day, it is Kenya that will succeed and progress if you select nicely,” he further said.
The South African tactician is keen to see Kenyans move away from such backward thinking and embrace a culture of professionalism and merit when it comes to gauging players’ performances.
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)