It is an open secret that Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is a huge fan of the enterprising duo of Mohammed Bajaber and Manzur Suleiman Okwaro.It did not take McCarthy long to spot the exceptional talents of the duo, whose hard work earned them their Harambee Stars debuts in the March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon.Latest construction update of brand new Talanta Sports City Stadium [VIDEO]McCarthy has not shied from unreservedly expressing his admiration of the two players’ discipline, hard work, and commitment to play at the professional level.While the South African legend has spoken extensively on Bajaber’s talent, he has also been captured severally having hearty conversations with Okwaro, both in the senior and U20 national team camps.##NAJAVA_MECA_8841756##The pair recently crossed paths in the U20 1-1 friendly draw against Mozzart Bet Cup champions Kenya Police FC at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Wednesday.Mozzart Sport tracked the 19-year-old centre back to find out the wisdom he has been sipping from the former Manchester United forward’s coach.Okwaro revealed that McCarthy has been urging him to work hard and believe in his abilities to catapult him to the next phase of his career.Kenya U20 head coach Salim Babu set to name final squad on Saturday“He has been asking me to keep on working hard. He wants me to enjoy every moment on the pitch and play with a smile,” disclosed Okwaro.Having secured his first Harambee Stars call-up and debut under McCarthy, Okwaro admits that his confidence levels have shot to a new high.##NAJAVA_MECA_8841639##The left-footed centre-back says the former FC Porto striker has fueled his desire to play football at the highest level, despite failing in his previous two attempts.Okwaro attended a trial with the Nantes B team in October 2023 and was in Sweden last year to audition for IF Brommapojkarna.“He has helped boost my confidence and reignited the desire to play football out there. He has also been encouraging my teammates at the U20 camp,” offered the former Rainbow FC defender.’That’s my kind of player’ – Benni McCarthy backs Bajaber to succeed in EuropeAt the same time, Okwaro is confident that McCarthy will restore Kenya’s lost football glory.The youngster believes that the all-time South Africa top scorer will guide Stars to a double win in the September World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.“I am sure he will help improve our FIFA rankings. Some of us, who have hopes of playing at the professional level, think a lot about our rankings and how best we can improve,” he added.
