'This is a different level of football', Kenya boss Benni McCarthy defends team selection

Goals from Sheriff Sinyan (12'), Yankuba Minteh (26') and Musa Barrow (38') condemned the Harambee Stars to a comprehensive loss, with only Ryan Ongam (81') scoring a late consolation.

McCarthy's side were effectively out of running for qualification before game, and ended the afternoon with six points from seven games, a massive 13 points adrift of Group F leaders Ivory Coast, with three games to play.

The South African mentor was recently hailed for guiding Kenya to the last eight of the African Championship in their first appearance at the competition.

But he altered his selection for his game and came under heavy criticism. In his response, McCarthy explained that the difference in levels between the two competitions meant that he couldn't operate with the same team against Gambia.

He was reported by SportPesa Blog to have said: "CHAN is a continental tournament. World Cup qualifiers are played at the international level.

"Here, you're facing players who compete in Serie A, the Premier League, La Liga. You simply can't compare the Kenyan Premier League with those elite competitions.

"People want me to start the CHAN squad which I'd love to but realistically, do you want us to lose 5–0 or even 10–0? This is a different level of football.

"Still, we offered opportunities to players like Bryne Omondi, Manzur Okwaro, and Alpha Onyango. It's about gradually developing them, integrating local talent with our foreign-based players.

"If I'm being honest, had I started Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Lewis Bandi, and Aboud Omar, we might have conceded 10 goals. That's the level we are dealing with."