Benni McCarthy shares a word with Manzur Okwaro. Photo: Imago

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has singled out one of his players for special praise following his starring role at the CHAN 2024 tournament.

Harambee Stars utility man Manzur Okwaro had been lauded yet again by coach Benni McCarthy over his remarkable qualities.

‎Okwaro was one of the standout players for Kenya at the CHAN 2024 tournament where he played a vital part in their run to the quarter-finals.

‎The KCB FC star was deployed in central midfield, where he excelled, despite being a defender by trade, and he is among players who are attracting interest from clubs abroad.

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‎While reacting to Okwaro’s heartfelt message to fans following the team’s elimination, McCarthy termed him a ‘gem’ which he hopes to utilise more in upcoming assignments.

‎”What a gem, you are my boy. Rest up well before we go again,” the South African coach responded to Okwaro’s message.

‎Okwaro had expressed his disappointment for going out of the tournament while picking positives from their fine run.

‎”We gave it everything for the country at the quarter-final stage but sometimes, the game is cruel,” he shared on Instagram. “Falling short hurts but I am grateful for every moment in this journey.”

“To the fans who stood with us, filled the stands and lifted us with every cheer, and to our technical bench who believed in us every step of the way, thank you so much,” he added.

“This is not the end, the history we made together was just the beginning of a great chapter in Kenyan football. We’ll rise again, stronger.”

Harambee Stars players will take a short break before they return to the international stage again with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles up next on September 5 and 9 respectively.