Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Reveals Grand Plans For Kenya's Rising Stars

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy with Rising Stars players Kelly Madada (L) and Manzur Okwaro (R). (Credit: FKF)

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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy with Rising Stars players Kelly Madada (L) and Manzur Okwaro (R). (Credit: FKF)

Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Reveals Grand Plans For Kenya's Rising Stars

Stephen Awino 19:30 - 14.04.2025

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is looking to tap into Kenya's U20 national side Rising Stars to build a formidable squad for 2024 CHAN and 2027 AFCON.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has provided insights into his comprehensive strategy for the Kenya U20 national football team, the Rising Stars, following their impressive qualification for the 2025 U20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

With a clear pathway envisioned for talented youngsters to transition to the senior national team, McCarthy has highlighted the pivotal role that emerging stars from the U20 squad will play in his plans to build a formidable Kenyan side.

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Rising Stars to face Senegal in fair Group C of upcoming 2025 AFCON-U20
Rising Stars to face Senegal in fair Group C of upcoming 2025 AFCON-U20 Rising Stars to face Senegal in fair Group C of upcoming 2025 AFCON-U20

McCarthy's Blueprint for Integrating Rising Stars

The South African football legend is focused on constructing a strong Harambee Stars by carefully balancing the inclusion of promising young talents with the experience of established senior players.

In a recent interview with NTV, McCarthy elaborated on his vision for these young players.

"We do have the right material because there's a lot of young, young stars coming through," McCarthy stated.

"There's an U20 team that's going to the AFCON, and you can draw so much young and fresh talent from there."

The Harambee Stars tactician has a valuable opportunity to directly assess the potential of these youngsters as the Rising Stars compete in the U20 AFCON set to kickoff on April 27 in Cairo, Egypt.

The Kenyan team faces a challenging Group B, pitted against continental powerhouses Nigeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.

The Rising Stars squad includes notable players such as KCB defender Manzur Okwaro and AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada, both of whom were part of McCarthy's provisional squad during the March international break, with Okwaro ultimately making the final selection.

Benni McCarthy shares a word with teenage defender Manzur Okwaro following Harambee Stars' clash against Gabon. (Credit: Telecomasia.net)
Benni McCarthy shares a word with teenage defender Manzur Okwaro following Harambee Stars' clash against Gabon. (Credit: Telecomasia.net) Benni McCarthy shares a word with teenage defender Manzur Okwaro following Harambee Stars' clash against Gabon. (Credit: Telecomasia.net)

However, McCarthy stressed the importance of a gradual integration process for the Rising Stars, ultimately paving the way for a new generation of Harambee Stars players.

"You also need the experienced players, the players who have been there and done that," McCarthy emphasized.

"So, we need them to also make the young players understand what it takes to play for this national team, why I have 50 caps or why I've represented Kenya more than 20 times. This allows the younger players to learn from their experience and understand what is required."

He further explained, "We don't want to select a whole lot of young players and then disregard the experienced ones. A football career doesn't end at 30. Some of the best players in the world are still performing at that age. So, we need the experience to guide the younger players. It will be a balanced integration between the two, but eventually, you look for the new generation to emerge and take this country forward."

McCarthy's sentiments come at a time when several promising Rising Stars players have begun to make a case for inclusion in the senior Harambee Stars squad.

Defender Amos Wanjala, forward Aldrine Kibet and midfielder Kevin Wangaya are among the names that have demonstrated maturity beyond their age.

As the U20 AFCON progresses in Cairo, McCarthy will be closely monitoring the performances, aiming to identify potential gems from the Rising Stars squad to strengthen his Harambee Stars for upcoming tournaments, including the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).