CHAN 2024: DR Congo Coach Hits Out at Benni McCarthy Over ‘Unfair’ and ‘Unsettling’ Behaviour

DR Congo coach Otis Ngoma has expressed his disappointment at Kenya ahead of the two teams’ clash at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

Harambee Stars clash with DC Congo in their opening match on Sunday and as both of them intensified training, one move from Kenya has not gone down well with the Congolese.

Ngoma hit out at Benni McCarthy and his backroom staff for trying to unsettle his team by spying on their training session ahead of Sunday’s crucial encounter.

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“Kenya sent spies to scout our training and preparations and that is not fair,” Ngoma told the media at his pre-match press briefing at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

However, Ngoma remains confident of securing a win against McCarthy’s team, who he says he has been watching and knows how to stop them.

“We used to meet with Benni in London and I know him. We watched some games and know how they [Kenya] like to play so we will try to win the game,” Ngoma further said.

The Congolese admit they have not had ideal preparations since their training started late but given they are two-time champions, they are ready to live up to the billing, and reclaim the title they last won in 2016.

“We came here to compete. Kenya is a big nation, they are at home but we do not feel pressure. At a high level, you do not feel pressure. We have experience and with two titles so we will approach the match with respect because we are looking for a third star,” said the DR Congo coach.

“We have had a few weeks to prepare and we know we have not had enough time but we are professionals. We will go step by step because we want to reach the final. The last edition was not the best but we have to be prepared mentally even if physically we are not at our best.”

Since winning their last title in 2016, DR Congo’s best performance was a quarter-final in 2020, having failed to qualify for the 2018 edition, and exited the 2022 tournament at the group stage hence the need to make amends this year.