Harambee Stars captain Aboud Omar (right) leads his teammates in a stretching drill at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Annex ground on July 17, 2025.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has said that the Cecafa Four Nations Tournament that starts on Monday in Arusha, Tanzania, will offer his side a sense of what to expect in the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan).
Hosts Tanzania, Uganda, and African giants Senegal are the other teams in the four nations showdown that will be played on a round robin format at Karatu Stadium.
McCarthy has named a 25-man squad for the tournament.
Speaking on Friday evening after overseeing Harambee Stars’ final training session at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani before their departure the South African football legend said that since the tournament has attracted strong opponents, it will go a long way in making the team “properly ready” for Chan.
McCarthy said that the tournament was also help in improving their match fitness level, fostering team unity, and enhancing tactical understanding.
“It (Cecafa Four Nations Tournament) will give us an indication of where to strengthen and improve because it is better when you have these opportunities in these kinds of matches to fix the last bits before Chan) starts,” said the former Porto striker.
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi before the team’s departure to Arusha on July 19, 2025.
“These games are to give the players a little bit of experience of what is going to come in Chan, but also to get themselves ready in terms of fitness, tactical, and as a team that we have that unity, and start to understand each other when we are on the pitch.”
Harambee Stars will open their Cecafa campaign on Monday against Uganda at 3pm. Kenya will next face Tanzania on Thursday before clashing with Senegal on July 27. The West Africans are the Chan defending champions.
Senegal replaced Republic of Congo who pulled out due to logistical challenges.
Unattached striker Masud Juma, who is not eligible for Chan, is among the players McCarthy included in his tour squad.
Late call-ups, goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, midfielder Marvin Nabwire, and strikers Felix Oluoch and Austin Odongo also travelled to Arusha.
McCarthy was forced back to the drawing board after lead strikers Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro withdrew from the squad to complete their moves to Zambia’s top-tier side Power Dynamos.
Kenya players (from left) Swaleh Pamba, Brian Musa and Felix Oluoch at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi before the team’s departure to Arusha on July 19, 2025.
Shumah topped the scorers’ chart playing for Kakamega Homeboyz in the 2024/25 Football Kenya Federation Premier League with 17 goals, followed by Osoro with FC Talanta on 16 goals.
The team’s striking department suffered another blow on Friday after Bandari’s Beja Nyamawi, who scored 12 goals last season, picked up an injury.
Nevertheless, McCarthy is confident Kenya will perform well in Chan.
“Now we just want to focus on getting the team’s organisation and establishing who is going to be in the first 11. I am very happy with what I have seen, and the team will definitely have the ability to make the nation proud,” said the coach.
