Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed his dream for the country during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Kenya will host the tournament in August alongside Uganda and Tanzania, and the South African tactician has said he wants the players to make good accounts of the competition.

“For the 2024 CHAN tournament, which is in Kenya, we want to showcase our skills and make a good account of ourselves. We want to succeed, not fail. Our goal is to reach the semifinals and even the final. I believe with hard work, it’s very possible,” McCarthy said, as quoted by a local publication.

He added that he wants to make Harambee Stars the best in the region.

“I want to make Kenya the best team East Africa has ever seen. If we can fix the national team, Kenya will go far. For me, it’s about the passion on people’s faces, and that shows they truly love their country. So far, the national team hasn’t delivered what the fans want,” he concluded.

Maiden squad

On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, McCarthy named his maiden squad that is set to take on Gabon and The Gambia in a World Cup qualifier.

Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)

Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)

Midfielders: Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)

Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)