'He Has Great Plans' - Harambee Stars Midfielder Backs Benni McCarthy to Transform the Lives of Aldrine Kibet and Co

Harambee Stars defender Duke Abuya has shared a message with Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Otiende, Bryton Onyona and and other young players following their first call-ups to the national team.

Coach Benni McCarthy is focused on building a strong squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and has expressed confidence in the potential of these promising youngsters.

For the recent friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, he handed opportunities to several rising stars, with Kevin Otiende making his first start and Aldrine Kibet earning valuable minutes off the bench in the second half.

Ahead of Harambee Stars' match against Senegal, Duke Abuya spoke with confidence about the future of the national team, saying that the current squad includes several young and highly promising players who deserve patience and support as they grow into their roles.

The Yanga SC midfielder noted that players such as Aldrine Kibet should be made to feel fully at home in the national setup, emphasising that representing the country is a journey that naturally takes time.

Duke Abuya further explained that even if some of the youngsters begin their international careers slowly, a gradual start often leads to stronger development in the long run. He stressed that their potential is clear and that their youth should be viewed as an advantage rather than a limitation.

He went on to say that if the technical bench included the players in the squad, then it was because the coach sees something special in them and believes they can contribute meaningfully to the team’s future.

“We have young players, very promising players. We have Kibet, and I want them to feel at home and know that it is a process of playing for the national team,” Duke Abuya told FKF Media.

“It might be off to a slow start, but the slower you start, the better you become. They are young and very promising, and I’m sure that if the coach has selected them, then he has great plans for them.”

According to Duke Abuya, the trust placed in the youngsters is a sign of long-term planning, and he believes the young talents will eventually justify that faith as they continue to grow in confidence and experience.