• FOOTBALL

• Frank Rotich 4 days ago

McCarthy demands strong response as Harambee Stars face Grenada

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has challenged his players to bounce back strongly when Kenya faces Grenada in the FIFA Series 2026 third-place playoff on Monday at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Speaking ahead of the clash, McCarthy expressed confidence in his squad despite their heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Estonia, insisting the performance showed clear signs of progress.

The South African tactician praised his players for their resilience after fighting back to secure a 1-1 draw in normal time, with Ryan Ogam cancelling out Estonia’s early lead. However, a missed penalty in the shootout denied Kenya a place in the final.

McCarthy now wants his side to channel that performance into a winning display against Grenada as they look to end their campaign on a high note.

The former Bafana Bafana striker also revealed plans to rotate his squad, emphasizing that the tournament is part of a bigger plan to build a competitive team ahead of future assignments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

He noted that giving more players an opportunity to feature is key to assessing depth and strengthening the national team.

However, McCarthy will have to deal with an injury setback after winger Job Ochieng was ruled out of the encounter, forcing adjustments to his lineup.

Kenya heads into the match on a four-game winless run, increasing the pressure to deliver a positive result. Meanwhile, Grenada will also be seeking redemption after suffering a heavy defeat to Rwanda in their previous match.

With both teams eager to finish strong, McCarthy’s men will be under the spotlight to respond and deliver the victory their coach believes they deserve.