Benni McCarthy stands firm in support of his players following the opening day of the CAN 2027 qualifiers. The Harambee Stars coach did not hold back in response to the criticisms aimed at his goalkeeper, urging everyone to have faith in the shot-stopper and allow him to develop.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw for Kenya against Eritrea. After the game, Kenyan goalkeeper Byrne Omondi faced a barrage of criticism. In the post-match press conference, Benni McCarthy praised his player, even drawing a parallel to a Kenyan football legend.
« He has been with us since I arrived. When I look at him, I see the stature of someone like Denis Onyango. He reminds me a lot of Denis Onyango. Every day in training, during the CHAN, he has been outstanding. I can't fathom how he continues to play in the Kenyan league. This isn't a slight against the Kenyan teams, but I believe he is a goalkeeper who could play in Europe, in Egypt, Morocco, or South Africa. Of course, he faces criticism, but we remain confident », the coach explained.
Benni McCarthy even expressed his frustration over the criticism and voiced his exasperation to the media. « If you have played in a European Champions League final and won, then fine… otherwise, be quiet and just enjoy watching football. »
