Benni McCarthy: Why Group A Will Test Harambee Stars at CHAN 2024

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has reacted with a mix of humour and grit ahead of the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) tournament scheduled for August across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Speaking ahead of the tournament opener, McCarthy jokingly blamed former Kenyan international Macdonald Mariga, who was part of the draw, for placing the hosts in a veritable group of death.

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“Whoever drew these balls… Mariga killed us,” McCarthy told CAF Online jokingly, before turning serious.

“But honestly, it’s a great challenge," he added.

Kenya, as hosts, have landed in a group stacked with continental giants including two-time champions DR Congo and Morocco, perennial challengers Angola, and Zambia.

Despite the daunting opposition, McCarthy, who only recently took charge of the national team, was bullish about Kenya’s prospects.

“When you play football and then convert to become a coach, you always say that to win anything, you’ve got to beat the best,” he remarked.

“The difficult teams will always be in your path, and you have to beat them anyway.”

McCarthy believes the CHAN 2024 tournament provides a unique platform for Kenya to announce itself as a serious footballing force in Africa.

“We have a great opportunity,” he said.

“We have Kenya, a nation that wants to have a taste of the top. This is our time. The squad we have gathered is hungry and wants success.”

The South African tactician is particularly optimistic about the home advantage Kenya will enjoy throughout the tournament.

“How better than to start this in your own backyard? We play our matches on our home ground in front of home fans, and this is a perfect opportunity to do exceptionally well — to eliminate teams that could probably reach the final, early.”

Despite the stiff challenge ahead, McCarthy says the squad is prepared and mentally tuned for the task.

“This will be a massive challenge and a good test for the boys. We’ll be ready, and come CHAN, I can very confidently state that we will be a team fearful of no one.”

The clock is ticking toward kick-off and McCarthy’s fearless mentality and firm belief in his squad could be the fuel Harambee Stars need to defy the odds in what may become a defining tournament on home soil.