Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy don talk say im team fit cause big upset for di international football world as dem dey prepare to face Estonia for Friday friendly match. Di South African coach say dis na historic match for Kenya because na di first time dem go play against European opposition.
Di match go hold for Amahoro Stadium for Kigali, Rwanda as part of di 2026 FIFA Series. Kenya dey inside Rwanda A leg group together with Rwanda and Grenada. McCarthy talk say im players don adapt well to di conditions and training don go well since dem arrive.
“Di players want to win but like I talk, na challenge. Na first time we dey play against European opposition. We want test our skills against where we dey for levels and as team, as unit against dis people,” McCarthy talk during pre-match press conference.
According to FIFA rankings, Kenya dey 113th position while Estonia dey 129th, meaning Kenya dey higher on paper. But McCarthy still see di Europeans as favorites to progress to di final. Im talk say if Harambee Stars manage win, e go send tremors around di football world.
“We fit also surprise plenty people, even di opponents, we fit surprise dem. I think na where my team dey. But tomorrow e go confirm say we dey make strides for di right direction,” di former Manchester United forwards coach add.
Di team don get boost with di arrival of Tranmere Rovers midfielder Zech Obiero, who don sort out im passport issues for Nairobi before fly join di squad for Kigali. McCarthy talk say di 21-year-old dey itching to play but final decision on whether e go start or come from bench go depend on tactical setup.
“Zech go dey pretty involved. After today training, we go decide if e go start or start from bench. E depend on how we want set up against dis team tomorrow. We go see how training go today for am and we make decision from there on starting 11,” McCarthy explain.
Another foreign-born player, Clarke Oduor, go link up with di team for Friday morning after sorting out im own passport issues for Nairobi. Di coach talk say di team focus more on performance rather than just victory.
“Of course, I want win, di players want win, but we dey play against European opposition, so we want test ourselves. If we manage do well, then when e come Monday and we dey for final and we don win, e go be great bonus. But I want make we get experience,” McCarthy share.
Di winner of di Kenya-Estonia match go face winner of di other fixture between hosts Rwanda and Grenada. Di final na for Monday. McCarthy talk say im dey confident say im team go compete well and give fans spectacular performance.
“Facing European opposition go be nice test for our boys, so we hope for di best and say we fit give fans spectacular performance and good account of ourselves,” di former Blackburn Rovers striker talk.
Di match go mark Kenya first-ever matchup against European opposition. McCarthy talk say dis na important step for di development of Kenyan football and opportunity to measure themselves against different style of play.
Di coach also address di importance of di FIFA Series tournament for giving smaller football nations opportunity to play against teams from different confederations. Im talk say dis kind exposure dey valuable for player development and team growth.
For di broader context of di FIFA Series, di tournament dey designed to give more international playing opportunities to member associations. Kenya participation for di Rwanda leg na part of dis global initiative to promote football development worldwide.
Di Harambee Stars last competitive match na against Iran where dem lose 2-1. Di team dey look to build on dat experience as dem face new challenge against European opposition. McCarthy talk say di team mentality dey positive and dem dey ready for di test.
Di match go kick off for Friday evening for Amahoro Stadium. Football fans across Kenya and Africa dey watch closely as Harambee Stars step onto new stage for international football. Di outcome go provide important benchmark for where Kenyan football dey currently and which direction e dey head.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
