McCarthy calls for ruthlessness after goalless draw with Chad

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has urged his players to be more clinical and aggressive, describing their goalless draw against lowly-ranked Chad in Saturday’s international friendly as “disappointing.”

The match, played at the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco, was the third McCarthy has overseen since his appointment on March 3, 2025.

The 47-year-old South African tactician previously led Kenya to a 3-3 draw away to Gambia and a 2-1 home loss to Gabon in March during the 2026 World Cup Group “F” qualifiers.

Reacting to the performance against Chad, McCarthy said it was “destroying” to see his side dominate the match but fail to score.

The former Manchester United forwards’ coach noted that the team is still gelling, with many players drawn from the local league and still adjusting to the intensity and physicality required at the international level.

“It was our first match together for most of these players, so you could see that we need to understand each other better,” said McCarthy.

“But I think when you dominate a match like this, you obviously have to be very disappointed that you didn’t win, that you didn’t score goals,” he added, disappointment written across his face.

“I think the biggest learning curve for us is just to be a little bit more clinical and aggressive in front of goal, to play with more intensity… A lot of our players still think that we are playing in the Kenyan league. This is international level so you're gonna keep maintaining the intensity, the pace of the game.”

Saturday’s clash marked the first-ever meeting between Chad and Kenya. The two sides will meet again on Tuesday in another friendly at the same venue.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Kenya are placed 111th, while Chad sit at 177th.

Australian-based midfielder William Lenkupae was Kenya’s unluckiest player in front of goal. He missed three clear chances: heading wide from close range in the 15th minute after a pinpoint cross from Boniface Muchiri, shooting wide in the 30th minute with only goalkeeper Mbaynaissem Jourdain to beat, and failing to convert a one-on-one opportunity in the 54th minute.

With captain Michael Olunga and vice-captain Joseph Okumu unavailable, experienced defender Brian Mandela was handed the armband for the match.

The two friendlies are part of Kenya’s preparations for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.