Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has defended his squad selection for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), insisting he picked players based on merit, not public sentiment.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsMcCarthy recently unveiled his provisional squad for the tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, 2 August.##NAJAVA_MECA_9010961##Kenya is drawn in a tough Group A alongside continental heavyweights Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia.However, the selection sparked debate, with critics pointing to the inclusion of players returning from injury while several in-form stars were overlooked.Despite the scrutiny, the South African tactician remains unapologetic.“You cannot please everyone, and I am not here to please people, I am here to bring success to this country,” McCarthy said during a press briefing on Thursday.“The players we have selected are those we have seen, those we’ve worked with in camp, and those we believe can get the job done.”Harambee Stars rise in latest Fifa rankingMcCarthy explained that the selection was based strictly on recent local camps, given that the CHAN competition only permits players who feature in their domestic leagues.##NAJAVA_MECA_9012055##“You cannot select everyone. When it was time for World Cup qualifiers, we had international players, but now we are working with the local pool. So, it’s not about who had a few good games, it’s about what we’ve seen day in, day out in training,” he said.With a resume that includes coaching at Manchester United and a decorated playing career across Europe with clubs like Ajax, FC Porto, and Blackburn Rovers, McCarthy believes his experience speaks for itself.Inside three major match fixing scandals that rocked the 2024–25 FKFPL season“Everyone won’t be happy with the team selection, but not everyone has been where I have been. I know talent when I see it. The players we’ve picked are, in our view, the ones capable of taking Kenya forward,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_9012097##McCarthy also made it clear that the goal is not just to participate in CHAN, but to compete for the title.“We are not going to just make up the numbers, we’re here to make a statement, to go as far as possible, and hopefully win it. The boys in this team have what it takes to get us where we need to be,” he declared.
