Harambee Stars were among the four nations invited for the tournament organised by the Council of East and Central Africa (CECAFA), as part of their preparations for the CHAN tournament that they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya, who travelled to Arusha for the tournament via a chartered flight, were initially scheduled to face rivals Uganda on the opening day, only for CECAFA to reschedule the matches on Sunday. Following the changes, Kenya were drawn to kick off against Tanzania at Karatu Stadium in Arusha.
Kenya set to return home
Despite arriving safely in Arusha on Saturday and holding their first training ahead of the tournament on Sunday, July 20th, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have confirmed the withdrawal of the team from the tournament and further said they will return home immediately and focus on preparations for the CHAN set to run from August 2nd to 30th.
“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to inform the public that the Harambee Stars have withdrawn from the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament in Tanzania,” read part of the statement from FKF obtained by Flashscore.
“This decision has been made following recommendations and advice from the team’s technical bench, led by head coach Benni McCarthy, after a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions, which were deemed unsuitable for the team’s participation and overall preparations.
“The team will return to Kenya and resume preparations for the upcoming Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) 2024, with full focus now shifting to ensuring optimal readiness for the assignment ahead.
“FKF remains committed to providing the national team with the best possible environment to compete and represent the country with pride.”
McCarthy had praised the CECAFA tourney
The South African legend had welcomed the CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament, which he said would provide good ground to test his team.
“I am very happy about the timing of this tournament because it will give our players good ground to continue to prepare well ahead of the CHAN tournament,” said McCarthy, before the team departed for Arusha.
“It is a good tournament to gauge our preparedness for CHAN. We are going to face formidable opponents, and that will clearly show us what is working and what needs to be fixed.”
The tournament, which will also feature Senegal, could have provided McCarthy with a great opportunity to gauge the preparedness of his squad ahead of the CHAN tournament.
McCarthy had named a strong 25-man squad for the tournament, with the goalkeeping department being manned by experienced custodian Farouk Shikalo, alongside Byrne Omondi and Sepstianos Wekesa, while the defence line comprised Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Pamba Swaleh, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, and Kevin Okumu.
The midfield consisted of a mix of youth and experience, with Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanely, and Marvin Nabwire making the squad, while the team boasted a promising attacking force led by the experienced Masud Juma, Boniface Muchiri, Felix Uluoch, Mohammed Bajaber, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, and Austin Odongo.
However, McCarthy was already prepared to miss the services of strikers – Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro – both whom became ineligible to feature in the CHAN tournament after signing permanent two-year contracts with Zambian Super League side Power Dynamos.
Shumah was the top scorer in the just-concluded Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League with 17 goals for Kakamega Homeboyz, followed by Osoro, who scored 16 goals and provided seven assists for FC Talanta.
Harambee Stars, who are drawn into Group A - arguably the 'Group of Death' - will face DR Congo, Morocco, Zambia, and Angola in what promises to be a demanding campaign.
