Why Harambee Stars coach is satisfied despite loss to lowly-ranked Estonia

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has expressed his pleasure with the team, despite suffering defeat to lowly-ranked Estonia.

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Kenya faced Estonia on Friday, 27 March in the ongoing FIFA Series in Rwanda, where after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the European nation emerged 5-4 victors on post-match penalties.

Lowly ranked Estonia shatter Harambee Stars’ hope of FIFA Series glory

Tanel Tammik opened the scoring in the 21st minute, before Ryan Ogam drew Kenya level in the 51st minute.

A missed penalty in sudden death by Richard Odada, whose panenka went over the bar, left bitter pills to swallow for the Kenyan side.

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Speaking to the press after the match, McCarthy however resorted to comparing the two nations.

“Estonia is a team that played against Italy, faced Haaland with Norway, while we are a small African country. We are making progress in the right direction, and that is all I want for my team to be ready for the 2027 AFCON,” said McCarthy.

With that, the former Bafana Bafana striker instead focused on the positives that could be picked from the match.

“To lose on penalties shows that the effort, maturity and composure that the boys showed to compete was good.

I learnt that the team has good character and personality because in the first half, we were nervous, but in the second half, we showed that this is Africa and dominated. We just need to do that from the first whistle,” he stated.

©Gad Isaac

The former Ajax striker went ahead to explain why Harambee Stars were better in the second half as compared to the opening half.

“I knew we could play better and at half time, I told them that we needed more movement on the ball because in the second half. We knew they would get tired owing to where they came from and the space would open up for us.

In the second half, we were by far the best team; moved the ball well and scored an equalizer,” he explained.

The 2004 UEFA Champions League Winner with FC Porto also rued the missed opportunities by his side.

“We could have won it twice through Lawrence and the goal line clearance. For penalties, it is a lottery, and we do not have to base our fortunes on penalties as we saw even in CHAN.”

His side faces Grenada in a third-place playoff at Amahoro Stadium on Monday, 30 March.

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