Coach McCarthy heaps praises on his charges ahead of Angola

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy instructs players during training session as the team finalized its preparations for the CHAN 2024 at Police Sacco Stadium on July 30, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has heaped praises on his charges ahead their second fixture against Angola in the ongoing eighth edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Nairobi.

Stars will battle Angola at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday night in an expected tight contest.

McCarthy has indicated that they are going to prepare well and face the Sable Antelopes with a 'relaxed' mind after nipping crucial victory against double champions DR Congo at Kasarani on Sunday.

"We are going to apply all the good form that we did against DR Congo. We hope for another win against Angola.
"We are going to show up in that match and in the rest of the fixtures, playing with passion, love and all the energy needed to earn a victory," added McCarthy.

While Stars opened their title campaign on good footing on Sunday, Angola lost 2-0 to double champions Morocco in a crunch fixture played at Nyayo National Stadium.

Ahead of the Angola showdown, McCarthy has heaped praise on some of his charges, including left back Manzur Okwaro, midfielder Alpha Onyango and goal poacher Austine Odhiambo, who notched the solitary goal in their encounter with DR Congo.

While explaining his tactical fielding of Okwaro as a defensive midfielder instead of his usual left back position during the clash with DR Congo, McCarthy said: "I'm so happy with Okwaro, he played well, he proved his worth despite his young age."

"Okwaro is a boy who has immense potential, he has lots of qualities in the sport. Initially, I was to play him as a left back, but we changed that and gave him a new role. I'm glad he outperformed in the midfield. He is young, he is athletic, he is brave and just 20 years old. I know now that if I want to neutral an opponent, he will come in handy because he is malleable and phenomenal."

"On Onyango, I'm happy with the way he controlled the midfield. He was so comfortable with the ball. He had crisp passes with good interlinks. Odhiambo was very creative with lots of surprises, he can score goals any time, the way he did for us in the match."

"I think Onyango and Odhiambo combining well with Okwaro against Angola will be a great advantage for us in the duel, the trio will be able to give us good performance in this tournament."