Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has broken his silence following striker Emmanuel Osoro’s surprise withdrawal from Kenya’s squad for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), saying he did not attempt to stop the player from leaving.
Osoro, who enjoyed a standout 2024/25 FKF Premier League season with FC Talanta, had been earmarked as a key figure for the CHAN tournament. His 16-goal haul made him one of the country’s most prolific forwards and a natural choice to spearhead McCarthy’s attack. But instead of donning national colors, Osoro chose a different path — sealing a high-profile transfer to Zambia Super League champions Power Dynamos.
The move, confirmed on July 15, effectively ruled him out of CHAN 2024, as the competition is exclusively reserved for players featuring in domestic leagues.
Your #HarambeeStars provisional squad for the CAF African Nations Championship pic.twitter.com/4wO8KKDE4y
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) July 2, 2025
McCarthy, addressing the media during Harambee Stars’ training camp, stated he wasn’t in the business of convincing players who had already made up their minds.
“I’ve got so many players to worry about, you know?” McCarthy said when asked if he tried to hold Osoro back from his Zambia move — at least until after CHAN.
“If a player and his club decide it’s in his best interest to join a foreign side and skip CHAN, that’s their decision. The player has every right to look after his career, evaluate his future, and decide where he wants to go.”
McCarthy was candid in his response, stressing that representing Kenya should never feel like an obligation but rather a privilege.
“I don’t need to convince anybody. Playing for your country is one of the biggest honors in football — nothing should come before that,” he emphasized.
The South African tactician didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment over the striker’s exit, acknowledging the void Osoro’s departure leaves in the squad.
“He was a key figure in this team,” McCarthy admitted. “It’s a shame because he performed exceptionally well for us. Even when we trained in Morocco, he stood out. Losing him so close to the tournament is tough — but I wish him the best in this new chapter.”
Osoro’s exit comes shortly after Moses Shumah, another FKF Premier League top scorer, also departed the squad following his transfer to Power Dynamos. The back-to-back loss of two attacking talents has naturally raised concerns over Kenya’s attacking depth heading into CHAN.
But McCarthy insists Harambee Stars will push forward with those available.
“We’ll soldier on and give our best,” McCarthy said. “This CHAN is an opportunity for those here to prove themselves. And maybe — just maybe — it will make those who left think twice about the timing of their decisions.”
The Stars’ preparations for their first-ever CHAN appearance are intensifying at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani. Drawn in a tricky Group A with DR Congo, Morocco, Angola, and Zambia, Kenya faces a baptism of fire in the tournament’s group stages.
McCarthy, however, remains upbeat, underlining the importance of team unity and mental strength over individual talent.
“It’s a tough group — we know that. But if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Our focus is on building a team that plays together, fights together, and plays with heart,” he stated.
The left-back turned coach also spoke on the significance of playing at home, with all of Kenya’s group matches scheduled at the iconic Moi International Sports Centre.
“Home advantage is huge. It’s not pressure — it’s motivation. The support from our fans can push us to achieve great things,” McCarthy affirmed.
As Harambee Stars fine-tune their squad, the double blow of losing Osoro and Shumah has only added to the intrigue surrounding McCarthy’s final squad selection. But the coach remains resolute in his philosophy — no player is bigger than the badge.
With just weeks to CHAN 2024 kick-off, Kenya’s football faithful will be watching closely, eager to see how McCarthy’s charges handle the heat on home soil — and who steps up in the absence of the stars who walked away.
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