Benni McCarthy remains defiant over Harambee Stars’ World Cup chances as he promises changes for Gabon clash

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy still has hopes of clinching a World Cup place despite a draw away to the Gambia as he looks to freshen up the team for Gabon on Sunday.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has promised to make changes during his team's next match against Gabon after securing a 3-3 draw against The Gambia on Thursday.

Kenya rescued a point after coming close to a defeat when debutant William Lenkupae scored late for a share of the spoils in Abidjan and they head into Sunday’s match at home to Gabon in a positive mood.

McCarthy fielded an experienced lineup made up of all foreign-based players, bar one, but most of them struggled as they went down 2-0 in the early minutes of the second half before substitutes turned the game around for Kenya.

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Jonah Ayunga, Mohammed Bajaber and Lenkupae brought more energy and dynamism into the contest with Duke Abuya also impressing after coming on and McCarthy says the substitutes and those who did not get in on the action will be given priority on Sunday due to the limited time between the two games and also what he witnessed on Thursday.

“For Sunday’s game is about trying to recover as best as we can and we have to trust whatever players we have as best as we can,” McCarthy said after the match.

“This first half team that was put out was for me a very strong Kenyan team with players who play in well-respected leagues in Europe. So, that was one of the strongest Kenyan teams that we have put out and I don’t think many of them will be available fit and ready that you would want to on Sunday.

“So, I will have to rely on a lot on the bench, the players that did not get an opportunity to play today and the ones that came in the second half and were so positive and brought a lot of energy to the game and two of them got on the scoresheet so they were fantastic.

“I am going to have to rely on those players but they are best capable of going and giving a performance.”

McCarthy says the result is a reflection of his team who had only one training session before the match and will need time to build a good understanding before they can play the way he wants.

“We had one training session together as a team, you think you want me to play as Barcelona?” he posed.

“So, familiarity, they have to get accustomed to each other, different way, different style that I expect from them but you cannot expect me to achieve that after one day with the team. I am fairly happy with what I have seen and there is lots to look forward to and to be positive about what I have seen. “

The draw leaves Kenya on six points from five matches, six behind leaders Gabon, while Ivory Coast can pull seven ahead of Harambee Stars, if they beat Burundi on Friday night.

However, the South African tactician is not giving up hope of qualifying for the World Cup as he feels there is still a lot to play for in the five games that are remaining.

“You will be a fool to give up, even the opposing coach will tell you exactly his aspirations, his hopes also that teams will drop points somewhere down the line,” said McCarthy.

“Gambia can beat Ivory Coast as much as Gambia can beat Gabon as much as Kenya can beat Ivory Coast and Gabon so it is still very open.

“The teams sitting at the top have taken the opportunities they had, collected their points early so five games to go and plenty of points on offer for everyone so we are hopeful.”

Harambee Stars returned to Nairobi on Friday afternoon and will have a training session on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s match at the Nyayo Stadium.