Benni McCarthy has responded to losing the services of star striker Emmanuel Osoro ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Osoro was initially named in McCarthy's provisional squad for the tournament, but he secured a move to Zambian top-flight side Power Dynamos.
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As per tournament rules, coaches are only allowed to select locally-based players for CHAN.
McCarthy says it is a blow lose Osoro, who registered 16 goals and seven assists in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League last season.
“We have already lost Emmanuel Osoro, he was a very key figure to the team, but he signed a contract with a foreign club, so with the rules of CAF, it means that he is not eligible to play in the CHAN, which is a shame to us because, he is a player that did exceptionally well in the league, and when we were out in Morocco, he was one of the outstanding performers,” said McCarthy as quoted by Flashscore.
“Then you get to lose a player just before CHAN starts, so yeah, and also Shumah, another player that we also lost, that was already with the squad, and was in my provisional squad as well, so when you lose two quality players of that status, weeks before the CHAN it is difficult, but you have to have open mind that if there are other players outside there, who can impress, and they can help the team in CHAN, then we are open to including them.”
Image: The Harambee Stars