FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Harambee Stars Head Coach McCarthy Eyes Long-Term Success With Young Squad

Harambee Stars national team coach Benni McCarthy has once again reiterated his intention to build a strong, competitive national team despite Kenya's slim possibilities of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The South African coach, who took over the team's reins just in March, now has his eyes on the future and is already set on building the next foundations.

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Kenya are mathematically out of contention for a World Cup slot, but McCarthy views the four Group "F" qualifiers remaining as a valuable opportunity to experiment with his philosophy and shape a team that is full of young energy and ambition.

“I need to build a strong team for the future,” said McCarthy on Monday.

The Harambee Stars take on The Gambia at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, this afternoon.

While the match has no bearing on Kenya's chances of qualification, it presents McCarthy with yet another chance to test his players in a high-pressure situation.

"Of course, it would have been better if I was here from the very start of the World Cup qualifying process because I would have had the time to instill my philosophy and have the team still competing to qualify for the World Cup," he clarified.

Kenya and The Gambia last met in March at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, where the two teams drew 3-3 in a thrilling encounter.

The Scorpions had twice gone ahead on the day, but McCarthy's charges showed spirit to fight back and earn a point. That fighting performance marked the beginning of McCarthy's tenure.

Harambee Stars' hopes were also extinguished after Gabon clobbered Seychelles 4-0 on Wednesday, which sent Kenya plummeting to fifth place in Group "F."

Gabon now leads with 18 points, followed by Cote d'Ivoire with 16, Burundi has 10, Kenya six, Gambia four, and Seychelles lies at the bottom with zero points. Only group winners qualify automatically, and four best runners-up qualify for playoffs.

Today's match, followed by Tuesday's home tie against Seychelles, gives Kenyan supporters the chance to witness the evolution of the team that thrilled so many at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Making their debut in the competition, the Harambee Stars reached the quarter-finals and attained legendary wins over Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia.

McCarthy has rewarded a number of CHAN players with call-ups. Of the 23-man squad for the two fixtures, 13 were part of the continental showpiece.

They are joined by foreign-based players spearheaded by captain Michael Olunga. Real Sociedad B forward Job Ochieng is the sole debutant in the team, and his inclusion highlights McCarthy's desire to mix youth with experience.

On the other bench, Gambia coach Johnathan McKinstry is expecting a tough game in what he termed a "hostile environment" at Kasarani.

McKinstry, who has coached Gor Mahia before, knows Kenyan football and is too aware of the passion of the local fans.

Some of his key players are Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yankuba Minteh and Al Taawuon striker Musa Barrow.