Aboud: Our focus now shifts to Fifa World Cup Qualifiers

Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar celebrates a goal during CHAN 2024 tournament at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi. [Stafford ondego, Standard]

Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar says they have now shifted their focus to the 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers after Kenya was bundled out of the eighth edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan) by Madagascar on Friday evening.

The Harambee Stars squad hope to apply the lessons learnt in their impressive run in the Chan group stages as they resume the Fifa World Cup Qualifiers next month in Nairobi.

For the first time in recent years, Kenya will play Fifa World Cup Qualifiers matches at home, starting with the fixture against Gambia on September 5 at the newly refurbished Kasarani Stadium.

Harambee Stars will then take on Seychelles four days later, on September 9, at the same venue.

The same day will also see Kenya host the World Cup Qualifiers encounter pitting Gambia against Burundi at Nyayo Stadium.

Kenya currently sits fourth in Group F of the Fifa qualifiers with six points, 10-a drift of leaders Ivory Coast.

"As we embark on the World Cup Qualifiers, we hope to apply the many lessons learnt in Chan, which has been an amazing tournament for us," Omar told Standard Sports.

"Most of my teammates had not been in a high level championship like Chan, so this tournament has definitely prepared the ground for them, as they transition to international stage like the Fifa World Cup Qualifiers," said Omar.

"At Chan, my teammates and I saw what it takes to feature on international arena and we just can't wait to apply the skills learnt there in our next fixtures."

"Chan has made us form a good team, we are more than united. We know each other inside out, we hope to extend the camaraderie to the international players whom we expect to link up with at the camp as we prepare for the World Cup Qualifiers where we also aim to raise Kenyan flag high."

"Chan has also prepared us for the next big task ahead which is the African Cup of Nations (Afcon 2027) that Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be co-hosting," Omar added.

After failing to make it to the Chan semifinals on Friday, Omar has decided to apologise to the legion of Kenyan fans who got their back in the ongoing African football showdown.

"I thank you, the fans, for turning up in large numbers to support us throughout the tournament. I have nothing but respect for you. You have been really supportive. We, as players and the technical bench, have nothing much to say than to say thank you, and we are very sorry for letting you down in the crucial phase of the tournament," Omar said.