Kenya Star: Coach Benni Was Harsh On Us

Sep 5, 2025 - 02:26 pm

By SL Journo

Kenya Head Coach Benni McCarthy

A Kenya international has revealed the unique way head coach Benni McCarthy motivated the team during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

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McCarthy led the Harambee Stars at the 2024 CHAN in what was his first tournament in charge of the national team. The Kenyans topped the tournament's 'Group of Death' but were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Ryan Ogam was one of McCarthy's standout performers during the competition, and the striker revealed what McCarthy did during one of their group games that stood out for him.

Kenya required a victory in their last group game against Zambia to qualify first in the group and managed to do so courtesy of a 75th-minute winner from Ogam.

"That game was important for us, but it was difficult. At the start, we were dominating the play, doing everything, but we were not scoring,” Ogam told NTV.

The 20-year-old revealed that McCarthy 'threatened' his forwards at half-time for their wastefulness and that he placed extra pressure on them to perform in the second half.

"Going to the dressing room at halftime, coach Benni was harsh on us," Ogam said. "He was saying that we were just playing for the sake. Not going forward, not creating chances."

He added, "We had to score because he told us in the next 10 minutes, if we did not score, all the attackers would be benched. It was pressure on us, and it was the best moment in my career."

Check Out: Benni Rates His Chances Of Reaching World Cup

Kenya's attention now shifts to their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against The Gambia and Seychelles.