Confusion mars Harambee Stars preparations

Harambee Stars defender Aboud Omar in a training. [FKF Media]

Kenya’s Harambee Stars returned home by road yesterday after  abruptly pulling out of the CECAFA Four-Nation tournament in Arusha, Tanzania — a move that has left many Kenyans questioning the seriousness of the country’s preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

While their Group A rivals Morocco and DR Congo are locking horns with some of Africa’s top teams in high-level friendly matches, Kenya is back to square one — without a single competitive build-up game under their belt with less than two weeks to go before the tournament kicks off on August 2.

The decision by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to withdraw from the CECAFA-organised tournament stunned many.

Harambee Stars had already landed in Tanzania and were scheduled to face hosts Tanzania, Uganda and West African giants Senegal.

But instead of taking to the pitch, the Stars were sent back home — via road — a journey that further added to the sense of disorganisation and lack of planning. As the saying goes, failing to plan, is planning fail. The federation would have avoided all this embarrassment if they had sent an advance team to Karatu, Arusha to assess the facilities before the team flew there.

In a stern statement, the regional body termed Kenya's withdrawal unfair, but said the tournament will continue with the remaining three teams; Uganda, Tanzania and Uganda. 

In stark contrast, Morocco’s youthful home-based team is peaking at just the right time. The Atlas Lions beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in Kenitra over the weekend, following up on their 6-0 hammering of Chad in June.

Under coach Tarik Sektioui, the team — comprised of players born in 2000 or later — is growing in confidence and cohesion. They will face Burkina Faso again tomorrow in their final warm-up match before flying to Nairobi.

DR Congo, another Group A heavyweight, is also leaving nothing to chance. After a short camp in Kinshasa, the two-time CHAN champions are currently in Algeria for a high-intensity training camp.

The highlight of their preparation is a friendly match against hosts Algeria, one of Africa’s strongest football teams. DR Congo will also play Morocco again tomorrow in a crucial pre-tournament test.

“Facing a nation of Algeria’s calibre just days before the tournament will give our players the competitive edge they need heading into the group stage,” said a member of the DR Congo technical team.

Kenya, meanwhile, is yet to announce its final squad or organise any other friendly matches, raising alarm about the team's readiness.

The 2024 CHAN tournament will kick off on August 2 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam with hosts Tanzania playing Burkina Faso.

Kenya, as co-hosts, will face Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia in what is widely seen as the tournament’s most competitive group. Harambee Stars will tackle DRC is in their opening match on August 4 at Kasarani Stadium.