5 things we have learnt about Harambee Stars at the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup so far

Five things we have learnt about Harambee Stars at the ongoing Mapinduzi Cup in Pemba Islands as the side continues gearing up towards CHAN 2024.

The Kenya national men football side Harambee Stars have been taking part in the annual Mapinduzi Cup taking place at Pemba Islands in Zanzibar as they continue gearing towards co-hosting the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) alongside Uganda and Zanzibar.

The tournament, which is effectively in place to help countries market their local-league players and give them exposure on the international stage, will be a good chance for Kenya to show the world what its local league players are made of.

Kenya are using the Mapinduzi Cup as a pre-tournament bonanza to prepare the side for the tournament. Pulse Sports brings you five things we have deciphered about the team in Zanzibar so far.

Kimanzi is looking to find a settled team

Ever since returning to the helm on an interim basis, Francis Kimanzi has been seeking to build a solid team for the big tournament, which is the 2024 CHAN.

The side has played just two friendly matches so far, against Burkina Faso and Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars, making different changes in each occasion.

Understandably, he missed the services of four crucial God Mahia players- namely Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino and Austine Odhiambo for their first game against Burkina Faso as they were away in Siaya taking part in a friendly match against Kitara FC during the annual Luo Piny festival last December.

It is evident that three of those four players will be important to his system. Omija and Owino already have an understanding at center back at club level, so he may retain that pairing. Odhiambo is the creator-in-chief of the side, with Brian Musa and Chrispin Erambo forming a solid double pivot base behind him.

Ryan Ogam, whose instinctive poaching brings something different to the side, is clearly the go to striker ahead of Mosea Shummah. Aboud Omar and Daniel Sakari are the starting full backs, while on the flanks, the one v one dribbling abilities of Boniface Muchiri and James Kinyanjui are important when trying to win fouls and unsettle low block set ups.

Kinyanjui can also use his pace to be a counter=attacking threat, while Muchiri is a good set-piece deliverer. That will likely be the set up against Zanzibar in their third game on Saturday.

New heroes are emerging

Several players have grabbed their opportunities to seal their places in the final squad. Farouk Shikalo stepped up to the plate as goalkeeper during their win against Tanzania when Kimanzi opted to hook off Byrne Omondi at half time.

James Kinyanjui and Boniface Muchiri have both been impressive in their outings so far. Brian Musa is showing he can replicate his performances at club level -particularly for previous club Posta Rangers- at the international level.

He was named man of the match against Tanzania after showing his capabilities to control the tempo with his passing, as well as his line-breaking capabilities from deep. Ryan Ogam has taken to international football like a duck to water following his excellent performances upfront.

Stars are getting stronger and stronger mentally

Kimanzi believes his team is slowly picking momentum which will be crucial in their participation in the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

Kenya beat Kilimanjaro Stars 2-0 to record their first win in the Mapinduzi Cup on Tuesday, having started with a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso, a win that showed some improvements especially in defence and attack.

Kimanzi feels the players are getting to grips with his demands and will grow even stronger as the tournament progresses which will bode well for their chances in the CHAN tournament, set to be staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1-28.

“We are seeing players showing some very good character and these games in the Mapinduzi Cup are helping in building that better.

“We want to see better mental character and we have an intention of making the team better in every game.”

Kimanzi’s ruthless tactical decisions

Kimanzi has created a reputation for hiw willingness to take risks, including making early tactical substitutions when needed.

So far, he has shown his ruthlessness by subbing off Byrne Omondi at half time during the side’s 2–0 win over Kilimanjaro Stars, clearly indicating he wanted more from the Bandari shot-stopper.

He also subbed on Kelly Madada against Burkina Faso after Kenneth Muguna suffered an injury, before hooking him off again in the second half against the West African side when they started gaining more control of the game when pushing for an equalizer.during their final clash against Zanzibar, and again in their last game of the Mapinduzi Cup on January 13.

Need for more stability in midfield

Although Brian Musa has been impressive over his two outings, you sense that the side needs to gain more stability in midfield. Kimanzi selected two defensive midfielders to the set up, Chrispine Erambo of Tusker, and KCB captain Michael Mutinda.

Mutinda started against Burkina Faso, with Erambo getting the nod in the second game. The final two games will give Kenyans a better picture on who will be trusted more, but with Kimanzi unlikely to tamper with the three-man axis that started against Tanzania, time will tell who will be the man to partner both Musa and Austin Odhiambo.