Harambee Stars chase first win under McCarthy

Harambee Stars' head Coach Benni McCarthy instruct players against Gabon in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at The Nyayo National stadium, March 23, 2025. Gabon won 2-1. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Benni McCarthy will be chasing his first win as Harambee Stars coach when Kenya takes on Chad in an international friendly match to be played in Marrakech, Morocco today (6pm).

The South African tactician has steered Kenya in two matches where Stars drew 3-3 with Gambia before losing 2-1 to Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Kenya will be using the back-to-back friendly matches against Chad to prepare for this year's African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Bandari forward Beja Nyamawi has promised their fans back home that they will win the two fixtures.

Nyamawi said he was pleased after being called up, adding that their camp has been great and they are raring to go.

"The national team call-up is a dream for me. I have been working hard for long, knowing one day I will play for Kenya, and I am happy the time has come," said Nyamawi.

"Camp training has been amazing and a totally different feeling from the club since we got to learn new tactics and fresh tricks from our top coaches.

"We have worked on our team chemistry, and we promise to win this match."

Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony Kimani said competition is healthy within the team and urged players who were not called up not to give up because the national team selection is a revolving door.

"The mood in the camp is great, and every player selected are trying to give their best, and they are giving us a good headache on who we will have to select in the first eleven line-up against Chad," said the former Bandari tactician.

"It's a healthy competition going on, and there is more room for even more players to come in going forward because we know the national team is always a revolving door and good players will always be called upon."

Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, and Sepstianos Wekesa will be fighting to start between the posts as Brian Mandela, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Siraj Mohammed, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari, Swaleh Pamba and Lewis Bandi seek the four defence positions.

Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Ben Stanley Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, William Lenkupae, Adam Wilson, James Kinyanjui, and David Sakwa will be hoping to make the cut in the midfield as Beja Nyamawi, Moses Shumah, and Emmanuel Osoro seek to strike.