Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has described the CHAN 2024 crop of players ‘incredible’ and are now reaping rewards for their hard work, including Alphonce Omija and Ryan Ogam.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has expressed immense pride in seeing some of his 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) players already secure moves to bigger clubs abroad following their standout performances at the tournament.
Kenya reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Madagascar 4-3 on penalties. However, McCarthy emphasized that the ultimate aim of CHAN was to provide players with a platform to showcase their talent and attract opportunities to elevate their careers internationally.
So far, Ryan Ogam, who scored two goals during the tournament, has secured a move to Wolfsberger AC in Austria’s top flight, while Alphonce Omija – who started three games for Kenya during the tournament, scoring once, is on the verge of joining Tunisian giants ES Sahel.
Reflecting on their impending moves, a proud McCarthy explained why seeing such players already achieve lucrative opportunities gives him immense satisfaction, as he continues building a strong Harambee Stars unit for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
From Ambition to Achievement
“Obviously, when you play football, you have the ambition to reach the highest level one day. You work hard every single day to get there,” McCarthy said.
“Then, when you find yourself working with a coach or technical team that helps you elevate even further, it’s incredibly rewarding.
“Being able to make a player better, to change his life for himself and his family by giving him the opportunity and platform to reach a higher level and even go abroad, is priceless.
There’s nothing better than seeing results come in. Different coaches bring different strategies, mindsets, and methods. When players put in the hard work, they get rewarded.
“It’s amazing for the players, and I only wish we could have more of this, because this group I’ve had since joining the Kenya team has been incredible.”
Building a Legacy for Kenyan Football
McCarthy praised his squad’s humility and hunger to learn, noting that at this stage in a player’s career, some often believe they already know everything.
“Their willingness to learn is refreshing. Many players at this level think they know more than the coach — that their time has passed and they can’t be taught. But this group has an unbelievable set of skills, combined with a willingness to learn, work hard, and take instructions. They improve day by day, which makes coaching easier and motivates you to work even harder,” he said.
During CHAN 2024, several Kenyan players impressed, earning lucrative opportunities even beyond national borders. Michael Kibwage, Mohammed Siraj, Byrne Omondi, and Lewis Bandi were among the players who earned moves to Gor Mahia — Kenya’s biggest club — following their exploits with Harambee Stars.
“Our goal is to help players be the best they can be, so they can move out of the Kenyan League into bigger leagues in Africa and Europe, while also opening doors for the next generation,” McCarthy added.
“Seeing new Kenyan players making their mark and progressing through the ranks is what you want. Ultimately, having a pool of players to pick from both locally and internationally, and seeing hundreds of Kenyans playing abroad, would be incredible.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done and how we’ve helped so many players improve and better themselves, enabling them to find opportunities with clubs across the world.”
