Two days before the clash with South Africa, Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy reveals that players and coaching staff have not been paid for September and October, and raises the possibility of FIFA and CAF intervention.
On the eve of the Harambee Stars’ trip to South Africa, Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has gone public with the financial dispute affecting his squad. According to Win-Wanmeisports, citing Flashscore, players and coaching staff have not received their pay for the months of September and October.
Having already faced a threat of a player boycott over bonuses in September, the coach is now taking a harder line. According to Opera News and Sporty TV, he states that his staff have “received no remuneration” and raises the possibility of FIFA and CAF intervention. No official reaction from the Kenyan federation is cited in the material available to us.
“FIFA and CAF may have to step in”
The remarks reported by Opera News and Win-Wanmeisports are unambiguous: “The authorities must pay us, FIFA and CAF may have to step in on this situation.” The outburst comes just days before a double-header against Bafana Bafana.
Asked about his own situation, McCarthy stressed his record: “The coaching staff have received no remuneration. But at the end of the day, my job is to make sure Kenya are in a better position than when I arrived.”
September, and already the spectre of a boycott
The crisis is nothing new. According to ZZMMS and Opera News, the Kenyan players had threatened to boycott matches over unpaid bonuses as early as September. McCarthy says he had to persuade them to train on the eve of the match against Eritrea: “I had to convince the players to train on the eve of the match against Eritrea. I will never allow players to boycott a match over their own problems.”
According to Opera News, the pressure exerted on the federation and the ministry eventually paid off: most of the players received their allowances before the trip to Guinea. The coaching staff, however, according to McCarthy, received nothing.
A very real sporting stakes
McCarthy has recalled striker and captain Michael Olunga as well as defender Eric Marcelo Ouma in a final squad of 25 players (The Star Kenya). Harambee Stars forward Ryan Ogam in turn warns: “South Africa have good players and will enjoy home advantage, but we should not fear them. We also have quality in our squad, and we must travel there ready to compete.”
The task looks daunting. South Africa, coached by Pitso Mosimane, lead Group D with 6 points after their wins over Guinea (2-1) and Eritrea (5-0). Kenya have just one, after their 1-1 draw with Eritrea and their 0-1 defeat in Guinea, according to The Star Kenya.
The clash is set for Friday 13 November at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, a return to the home country of McCarthy, whom he represented as a player (ZZMMS). The reverse fixture will take place on Tuesday 17 November at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Kenya have already qualified for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, according to The Star Kenya.