FOOTBALL
Frank Rotich 3 days ago

Kiongera defends McCarthy on Harambee Stars squad selection

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy instructs Manzur Okwaro during a past match. [Courtesy Harambee Stars]

Former Harambee Stars striker Paul Mungai Kiongera has defended national team coach Benni McCarthy over criticism surrounding his latest squad selection for the upcoming international friendlies against Palestine and Kyrgyzstan.

Speaking ahead of the matches, Kiongera said team selection is the responsibility of the coach and fans should allow McCarthy to work with the players he believes fit his style of play.

Kiongera noted that many people have questioned some of the call-ups, but insisted that the final decision belongs to the coach.

He said a coach understands the kind of players he wants in his system and should be judged mainly by the results the team delivers on the pitch.

The former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards striker added that Kenya still has a strong chance in the AFCON qualifying campaign, saying good performances are more important than debates over individual selections.

Kiongera also explained that squad selection is not always based on current club form alone. According to him, coaches also consider tactical discipline, experience and trust when picking players for the national team.

He noted that some players may not be getting regular minutes at club level but can still play an important role in the national team setup if the coach believes in their abilities.

The Harambee Stars are using the friendlies against Palestine and Kyrgyzstan to continue preparations for future international assignments, including the AFCON qualifiers.