Harambee Stars fan favourite Mohammed Bajaber is relishing the challenge of strutting his stuff against tough opponents in the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) that kicks off on August 2.
Bajaber, 22, a Football Kenya Federation Premier League winner with Kenya Police FC, is currently in camp with the Kenya team preparing for the biennial football extravaganza that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
"Playing in Chan at home against tough opponents will be exciting," said Bajaber on NTV's Monday night show SportOn! co-hosted by Bernard Ndong’ and James Wokabi.
He became an instant darling of Kenyan fans on March 20 after a beautiful equalising goal for Stars against Gambia in their 3-3 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
After beating his marker, Bajaber dribbled into the box before unleashing a curler into the top right corner of the goal.
He came in as a little-known substitute in the 62nd minute and has since become a regular in coach Bennie McCarthy's squad.
Kenya Police midfielder Mohammed Bajaber in action against FC Talanta during FKF Premier League match on May 18, 2025 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
"Gambia had just scored their second goal before I entered the pitch. At 2-0 down, I told myself to express myself and have fun. It was an instinctive moment, a unique opportunity to play for my country. As soon as I got the ball, I knew I would score,” said Bajaber, a self-confessed Arsenal diehard fan.
A provisional Harambee Stars squad is in camp in Nairobi and Bajaber will be expecting to make the cut for Chan.
He is one of the most exciting young players in Kenyan football at the moment with his speed, skill and creativity, and will offer McCarthy plenty to ponder about.
“My childhood dream is to play in the (Uefa) Champions League, and I'm working towards it. Qualifying for Afcon again, and hopefully the World Cup, are my goals with the Stars.”
He started playing football in primary school, featured in Ligi Ndogo from nine to 11 years before blossoming to a player who went for trials in Denmark.
His elder brother, Zuhum Omar, recounts: “We always pushed him to play Fifa playstation games and to train outdoors. Our tough love has shaped him. He's competitive and always strives to win. We are a football-loving family."
As a former captain of Starfield Academy in Nairobi, Bajaber's career was significantly influenced at 16 by a new PE teacher who introduced innovative training methods in school, and started his own academy, where Nairobi City Stars scouted him.
"I wasn't mentally prepared to travel to Denmark. The pressure to perform, training four days a week at 17, was tough. They emphasised positional play, which was different from my roaming style, The facilities were good, and people were welcoming, but I wasn’t used to the food."
He was in the trials alongside Ivorian international Ousmane Diomande who is now with Sporting Lisbon of Portugal.
Kenya Police midfielder Mohammed Bajaber vies for the ball against FC Talanta's Chris Opondo during FKF Premier League match on May 18, 2025 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Returning to Nairobi City Stars from Denmark with an injury, he initially faced scepticism. However, the then-coach of the club Nicholas Muyoti believed in him and gave him a chance.
"I scored my first goal, a winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Muhoroni Youth, helping us avoid relegation. I always thank Muyoti for playing a part in my career growth." He battled relegation with Stars for two consecutive seasons. "It was tough. It made me mentally tougher."
Bajaber scored four times for City Stars in the first leg of the 2024/25 season before Kenya Police came calling in February.
Encouraged by players like defenders Abud Omar and Daniel Sakari, he bought into the team's ambition to win the league title.
With three caps to his name, Bajaber is "happy to be among the few local players in the Stars team, and playing alongside professional players like Captain Michael Olunga."
Despite missing out on the national youth teams due to injuries, he believes it was "God's plan." Indeed, a player to watch in the 2024 Chan.
