Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has responded to the criticism surrounding his team selection after the 3-1 loss to Gambia on Friday night.
The Harambee Stars' 2026 FIFA World Cup dream appears to be over following Friday's defeat on home soil.
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McCarthy resorted to recalling the regulars, with a number of the players from their African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad starting on the bench.
The Bafana Bafana legend has defended his starting line-up and claims they could have conceded more.
“I will give you my honest assessment. If I played Omija and Sylvester and then played Bandi and Abud, we could concede 10. That is the honest truth,” McCarthy said, as per Mozzart Sport.
“That was CHAN, played by local players. This was a World Cup qualifier - played by the best players, playing in Europe’s best leagues. You cannot compare the two.
“I have to be realistic also. It is a learning curve, and hopefully one day we will get there, but for these (World Cup qualifiers), no chance,” he concluded.
McCarthy's charges will be back in action on Tuesday against Seychelles at the Kasarani Stadium.
Image: The Harambee Stars
