Former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani has called to question the team selection of Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Speaking during a live interview on Monday, March 24, 2025, Ambani hinted at the possibility of McCarthy giving into the demands of the fans by opting to effect changes to the team for Sunday clash.

McCarthy handed starting berths to Mohammed Bajaber and Wilson Lenkupae in the four changes against Gabon.

The pair had marked scoring debuts for Harambee Stars against Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

With the two earning fans plaudits for their respective displays, McCarthy who promised to tweak his team for the next clash, came good on the promise with four changes in total to his starting eleven.

“In the last match, we played against Gambia. We had scoring chances but we didn’t take them. I think Kenya’s Technical Bench and Benni himself succumbed to the pressure of fans. According to me. It would be wise to go with the squad he used against Gambia, and bring in the firepower of the substitutes he used in that match,” the coach said.

 “On social media after the Gambia game, everybody was saying the team that played against Gambia in the second half is the team that is supposed to start. When I went to the stadium, I saw the same thing, It actually happened. I think succumbing to pressure from fans isn’t that good. You need to know what you want as a coach,” he said.

Backing Benni

The former Yanga striker nonetheless lauded the team’s performance saying the Kenyan lads went down fighting as he tipped the South African and his charges to rise again.

“The lads however went down fighting in the tie. Benni himself is a striker and I’m 100 per cent sure he knows what he is supposed to do and how to pick it up from here,” he said.

This tie was McCarthy’s the second match in charge of Kenya after taking over the reign on March 3. The defeat dealing a blow to his ambitions of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, slotting past Kenya’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

He doubled his tally in the 50th minute from the penalty spot after Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma handled the ball inside the box.

Kenya pulled one back just past the hour mark, with Olunga converting a pinpoint cross from Ouma. Hopes for a comeback fight were however dimmed after the visitors held on to claim the crucial three points on enemy territory.

With this result, Gabon now has 15 points from their six games in Group F. The Panthers top the pool ahead of Ivory Coast who have 13, while Kenya, with six points from six matches, now facing a mountainous task in their bid to qualify for the 2026 global soccer bonanza to be led in Mexico and Canada.

Four matches remain in the qualifiers, with Harambee Stars set to take on Gambia and the Seychelles in September.