Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up on the growing frustration among players over unpaid allowances, admitting the situation is beginning to affect morale and willingness to turn out for the national team.The concerns come at a sensitive time for the technical bench, as players boycotted a scheduled training session on Monday. The team is set to face Eritrea in their 2027 AFCON qualifier on Saturday. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9981523##McCarthy revealed that some players have gone through four to five camps without receiving a cent of what was promised to them, a situation he says is beginning to test their patience."For four to five camps, not receiving any cent of what was promised, of course as a human being you will be like, is it worth it? Is it okay for the national team?" he said.He explained that this has made it increasingly difficult to manage a squad where trust in the system is wearing thin."Therefore it becomes hard to manage players who have not been paid," he said.The coach was quick to note that passion has always been at the heart of why most players fall in love with the game.He acknowledged, however, that professional football today comes with financial expectations that cannot be ignored."We all started playing football for the love and the passion, it was not about money. But when you have a gift, people are willing to pay a lot of money for it," he said.McCarthy cries foul after going months without salary at Harambee StarsMcCarthy said he sympathises with the players' position and understands why some have had to look elsewhere to secure their livelihoods."I understand the players' frustrations, and they have had to make other arrangements," he said.Addressing Monday's boycott directly, the coach made clear where his priorities lie when disputes like this arise between players and the federation."For me, players come first before anyone else. The players are more important, and their welfare comes first," he said.He admitted, though, that the standoff has left him in a difficult position ahead of the Eritrea qualifier, with no easy answers to offer a squad that feels let down.Kenyan tennis star crashes out early in Italian tournament"But when players don't want to respond anymore, then it becomes difficult for you to do your job. You are speaking with people that are hurt, and there is nothing you can say to change that, because so many broken promises have been made to them," he said.Harambee Stars secure friendly to make it 3 matches in 9 daysHe ended with a direct appeal to the country's football authorities, calling for urgent action before the issue spirals further and threatens preparations for Sunday's fixture."The Ministry, the President, the FKF should intervene before it gets worse," McCarthy said.
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