Benni McCarthy has acknowledged that one of his midfield choices against The Gambia was a gamble, reflecting on what went wrong and what lessons Harambee Stars must carry forward.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that starting Richard Odada in the World Cup qualifier match against The Gambia was a gamble.

Harambee Stars lost 3-1, with all three of their opponents’ goals scored in the first half. Sheriff Sinyan scored in the 12th minute before Brighton forward Yankuba Minteh netted in the 26th minute. Musa Barrow added the third goal in the 38th minute.

Richard Odada was on the pitch in the first half and made a few costly errors. In the second half, coach Benni McCarthy opted to bench him, bringing on Manzur Okwaro and Alpha Onyango.

Speaking after the match, Benni McCarthy noted that before he started coaching Harambee Stars, he had watched Richard Odada a series of times and knew the quality he brings to the squad.

Benni McCarthy added that he has followed Richard Odada’s journey and mentioned that even when he was loaned to Serbian Super Liga side OFK Beograd, he still watched him play.

The former Manchester United attacking coach revealed that Richard Odada was with Dundee United during pre-season, and he thought the midfielder would be a perfect fit in Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifiers plans.

“Since I started, I had Richard, so I know what he brings. I also watched him a couple of times in Scotland before I joined. Even when he went on loan in Serbia,” Benni McCarthy said.

“He has played there and then during the pre-season, he was at his club, which I know is very physical, and I just saw the news that he got released to get out of the situation that he was in because the manager was not going to count on him, so that was a gamble.

“It was a gamble on my part, but he is a player that I know the quality and experience that he brings. You saw the difference between the two squads, in theirs everyone plays in Europe, and then ours it’s 50/50. I thought Richard would give us that powerhouse that we kind of desperately needed to compete on such a level.”

Richard Odada has struggled to get playing time at Dundee United and made only three league starts in his 13 appearances for the club. He has since left Dundee United and is a free agent.

As Harambee Stars gear up for a clash against Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9, Benni McCarthy hopes to learn from the undoings of their loss to The Gambia and select a formidable squad.