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Harambee Stars will be playing Burkina Faso in their first clash of the four-team Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Zanzibar on Saturday from 8:15 PM
Harambee Stars’ fixtures for the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar have been released, marking an important step in their preparations for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The tournament offers the Stars an opportunity to fine-tune their squad ahead of CHAN.
Kenya will kick off their campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday, January 6th, at 8:15 PM at the Gombani Stadium on Pemba Island.
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16:00 - 31.12.2024
NSL star Isaac Omweri itching to make history as Harambee Stars prepare for Mapinduzi Cup
Omweri, who is the only non-FKF Premier League player currently in the Harambee Stars set up preparing for the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, is determined to make the final squad for the 2024 CHAN.
Their second match pits them against Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars on Tuesday, January 9th, at the same venue. The group stage concludes with a clash against Zanzibar on Friday, January 12th.
The top two teams from the group will proceed to the final, scheduled to take place on Monday, January 13th.
Interim head coach Francis Kimanzi unveiled his 24-man squad for the tournament on Wednesday, focusing on mostly youthful players who can provide a strong foundation for CHAN. Despite the comprehensive selection process, several notable players missed out.
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15:00 - 02.01.2025
Ben Stanley Omondi: The rising star who once played against Porto & Chelsea at 13 now hungry to shine for Harambee Stars
Omondi, who was part of the U-14 Kenyan side that played against the likes of Porto and Chelsea in Southampton back in 2017, is now part of the senior Harambee Stars side preparing for the 2024 CHAN.
Among those excluded are KCB striker Francis Kahiro, the FKF Premier League’s second-highest scorer with eight goals, and Tusker’s captain Charles Momanyi, who has been instrumental in the brewers’ defense. Shabana’s Brian Michira, who has netted seven goals this season, was also left out due to passport issues.
Other absentees include Kenya Police’s Marvin Nabwire and the AFC Leopards trio of Ovella Ochieng, Victor Omune, and Sydney Lokale.
Kimanzi emphasised that these omissions are not final. “The players who we have kept aside... will be the first in camp when we begin CHAN preparations,” he said, signaling that the Mapinduzi Cup is part of a larger process to identify and refine local talent.
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14:20 - 02.01.2025
How AFC Leopards wonderkid Kelly Madada's desire to uplift family is motivating him to do well for Harambee Stars
Kelly Madada made the final 24-man Harambee Stars squad for the Mapinduzi Cup, which is serving as a platform to help Francis Kimanzi identify the squad for the 2024 CHAN tournament.
Kimanzi has also highlighted the importance of tapping into the lower leagues to bolster the squad. Nairobi United’s Isaac Omweri, the sole representative from the National Super League, earned his spot in the initial provisional squad, serving as an example of the untapped talent in Kenya’s football system.
“We also need to check players from the nationwide level,” Kimanzi stated. “There are some players with good statistics and current form who can contribute to CHAN. This platform will help us assess them further.”
With the Mapinduzi Cup providing a competitive environment, Harambee Stars aim to build momentum and cohesion ahead of CHAN. Fans will be keen to see how the team performs against regional rivals in what promises to be a pivotal tournament for Kenya’s football ambitions.
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