Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that Harambee Stars will be in the ‘Group of Death’ during the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament slated to kick off in August, but “we have got everything in our path to succeed.” 

The East African nation has been drawn in Group A of the tournament, exclusively reserved for players who feature in their respective local league, alongside Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia. 

“It is clear for everyone to see, and to know that we are in a group of death, it is impossible group to be in, but a fantastic challenge for us, you know, to see how far we have come, and where we are at as a football nation,” the South African legend told Flashscore. 

“It will be a nice challenge,” McCarthy continued: “DR Congo they have won the CHAN tournament twice in previous years, Morocco has won it twice also in previous years, and Angola has just won the COSAFA, so they are teams with big pedigree, don’t forget Zambia is also been a massive name in African history. 

“But along comes Kenya, but I think we have got everything in our path to succeed, the players are well prepared, they are ready for the challenge, and the fact that we play home, we will have so many thousands of Kenyan supporters that will be behind the team, and spur the team on, I think we are excited and ready for the challenge.” 

McCarthy continued: “We want to be one of the surprises to come out and win the tournament, and this tournament being a stepping stone, it is a life-changing experience. I myself never played at CHAN, but played at the U-20 level at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

“Fortunately, for me, I was the top goal scorer of the tournament, and best player, and I ended up getting a move to Ajax Amsterdam because of a tournament like that, because you never know who’s watching.” 

McCarthy further revealed how he was motivating his players to go for a top-class performance during the tournament set to run between August 2, 2025, and August 30, 2025. 

“I have been telling my players, this is the best opportunity that they are going to experience, that they are going to have, so they have to play well, to impress, and become a success story,” added McCarthy. 

“If they impress, then European teams, and top African teams will be knocking the door for their services to get the dream moves to top clubs in the world, so the tournament couldn’t have come at a better time for these players.” 

McCarthy, who previously worked as the coach of the South African Premier Division team AmaZulu and as first team strikers’ coach at Premier League club Manchester United, revealed his toughest task since he took over the role of handling Harambee Stars. 

“It’s been a good camp, but yesterday (Tuesday, July 15, 2025) was a very tough day for me, because I had to do something that I hate doing, and that was to disappoint players, because I had to trim the squad down,” explained McCarthy. 

“So, I had to let some players that I thought trained really well, worked well, but unfortunately you have a number that you have to reach and the squad has to be that number, so unfortunately I had to disappoint some players and it is never a nice thing, because I had to be the bad person.” 

Some of the players axed by McCarthy include Ulinzi Stars duo of Staphod Odhiambo and Yakeen Muteheli, Shabana’s Keith Imbali, AFC Leopards’ Kelly Madada, and Tusker’s Brian Opondo.