McCarthy under fire for controversial Harambee Stars picks
Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has come under criticism after unveiling his Harambee Stars squad for the FIFA Series in Kigali, where Kenya will face Grenada, Estonia and Rwanda from March 23–31.
The selection sparked debate after several in-form strikers were left out, including Dynamos forward Moses Shumah, who leads the Zambian Super League scoring charts with 14 goals, and FKF Premier League top scorer Joseph Waithira.
Questions intensified when McCarthy included William Lenkupae, currently without a club, ahead of players performing regularly at their teams. Critics argue the decision undermines merit-based selection.
“It is unfortunate what we are seeing with the squad selection,” Kakamega Homeboyz boss Cleophas Shimanyula said. “Why don’t we have Shumah? He is scoring goals and deserves to represent Kenya.”
The controversy has placed McCarthy’s selection policy under early scrutiny as he begins shaping the Harambee Stars squad.