Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has vowed to deliver victory against Amavubi as pressure mounts from Kenyan fans over the team’s recent performances. Harambee Stars face Rwanda in a FIFA international friendly at Amahoro Stadium on Monday, with anything short of a win likely to intensify scrutiny on McCarthy’s position. Speaking at a press conference at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday evening, October 4, 2026, McCarthy said the friendly against Rwanda would play an important role in his preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Although Kenya have already qualified for the tournament as one of the three host nations, McCarthy stressed that his team cannot afford to become complacent. “We have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations because we are hosts, but that does not mean we should perform poorly,” McCarthy said. “We must continue preparing seriously for every match. Games like this help us assess the players available to us and understand where we stand.” McCarthy heads into the Rwanda friendly under increasing scrutiny. Kenya have collected just one point from a possible six in their recent 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures, while the coach’s overall record in his last eight matches stands at two wins, two draws and four defeats. The South African admitted that Kenya’s disappointing results in recent matches have increased the pressure on the team to improve. “Our performances in previous games have put us under pressure to achieve better results. We need to start winning matches as we build towards the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added. McCarthy also urged Kenyan supporters to remain patient, arguing that criticism should not be directed solely at the coaching staff whenever results fail to meet expectations. “Kenyans should not be overly upset because losing is part of football. It is not the end of the world,” he said. “The reality is that we are not yet at a level where we can consider ourselves unbeatable. Most of the players in the squad are locally based, and many had gone a long time without competitive matches.” He pointed out that even some of Africa’s strongest teams experience setbacks, stressing that short-term results do not necessarily determine long-term success. “Even teams such as Morocco face criticism at times. We may lose now and go on to perform well at the Africa Cup of Nations. On the other hand, we could win today and struggle at AFCON. That is football. People need to be patient. When the time comes, we will win.” The encounter against Amavubi presents an important opportunity for McCarthy and his players to restore confidence and ease the growing pressure from supporters ahead of their future continental assignments.
