Benni McCarthy blames poor facilities for CECAFA withdrawal

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has spoken out on Kenya’s dramatic withdrawal from the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament, citing poor playing and training conditions that he feared could jeopardise the team’s readiness for the upcoming CHAN 2024 tournament.

The national team had already travelled to Karatu, Tanzania, and were hours away from kicking off their opening match when the decision was made to pull out. McCarthy, who took full responsibility for the withdrawal, said the state of the facilities left him with no choice.

“What happened in Tanzania was an unfortunate event. We went there with good intentions, but from a footballing perspective, it did not meet our expectations,” McCarthy said.

“The training facilities we were assigned in Tanzania were simply not up to standard. Continuing could have exposed key players to injury risks just before CHAN. Returning home was the best possible decision.”

The withdrawal sparked disappointment from CECAFA, which issued a statement describing Kenya’s last-minute pull-out as regrettable. The regional body maintained that concerns raised by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had already been addressed.

“It is unfortunate that the decision came on 21st July, when all reasonable concerns raised by FKF had been addressed earlier by CECAFA, just hours before kick-off,” the statement read.

McCarthy remained firm, insisting the team’s CHAN ambitions had to come first.

“We didn’t want to end up making excuses if we fail to progress past the group stages. This decision gives us the best chance to prepare properly.”

Kenya will now focus on its CHAN 2024 campaign, where they are in Group A alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Morocco and Zambia. Their opener is set for 3rd August at Kasarani Stadium.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has been selected to join FIFA’s prestigious Coach Mentorship Programme in Zurich.

Cheche is one of just 20 rising female coaches globally chosen for the 18-month initiative, which pairs participants with elite mentors - in her case, South Africa’s national team coach and multiple CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis.

Cheche said the opportunity will enhance her tactical and professional growth and contribute to the long-term development of women’s football in Kenya.

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