McCarthy revealed that Vyner is expected to link up with the Stars in the near future, though the player has requested to sit out the upcoming fixtures.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed ongoing efforts to strengthen the national team with new additions, including Bristol City defender Zak Vyner and Everton midfielder Tyler Onyango.
McCarthy revealed that Vyner is expected to link up with the Stars in the near future, though the player has requested to sit out the upcoming fixtures. The 28-year-old cited the early stage of the Championship season and his focus on securing a contract renewal at his club.
“I spoke personally to Zak, and with the Championship and Premier League just getting underway, he felt it was a little too early due to the accumulation of games already,” McCarthy explained.
“He is in the final year of his contract, so he is fighting to earn a renewal, and you have to respect that. I have been in that situation myself, and I try to balance the player’s interests with the national team’s needs. I am always on the side of the players.”
Vyner, whose mother is Kenyan, earned his first Harambee Stars call-up in May 2024 but missed out on making his debut after delays in processing his passport. He eventually made his debut early this year in an international friendly against Chad, as the team fine-tuned preparations for CHAN.
At the same time, McCarthy confirmed that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has reached out to Everton regarding 21-year-old midfielder Tyler Onyango, who is eligible to represent Kenya through his parents.
“We have engaged Everton to get more details on Tyler. His parents are open to the idea, and we want to explore the possibility of bringing him into the team,” McCarthy noted.
The Harambee Stars boss emphasized that integrating such players is part of a broader plan to expand the team’s depth and competitiveness ahead of upcoming assignments.