Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has praised coach Benni McCarthy for selecting defender Brian Mandela Onyango in the Kenyan national team.
McCarthy named his first Kenya national team squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon with the former Manchester United striker coach including the Stellenbosch defender.
The 30-year-old was last named in the Harambee Stars squad back in 2023 for international friendly matches with Barker saying Benni had done the right thing for naming Onyango in the squad.
“I think Benni has done the right thing, Brian offers character and leadership. He is one of the best humans I have ever worked with,” Barker told the media.
“I think he plays with his heart on his sleeves, the way he encourages players, the way he speaks with the young players.
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“I think as a national team player to have him back in the fold, I think, adds that. Plus, sometimes in Africa, World Cup qualifiers you need a bit of ariel strength, strong defender at the back, from a football point of view he is calm, he doesn’t give the ball away obviously a little bit older, lack of pace maybe on the continent certain games.
“The main reason that he will benefit the team is the person that he is.”
