Harambee Stars set to kick off Mapinduzi Cup campaign against Burkina Faso
Kenya’s Harambee Stars will face Burkina Faso, Kilimanjaro Stars, and Zanzibar Heroes in Group A of the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup with their opening match set for January 4 against Burkina Faso.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group A of the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, where they will face Zanzibar Heroes, Kilimanjaro Stars, and Burkina Faso. The national team’s campaign begins with an opening clash against Burkina Faso on January 4, 2025, in Zanzibar.
The interim head coach, Francis Kimanzi, has described the tournament as a vital opportunity for the team to test its readiness for future competitions. "This tournament is a blessing for us. It allows us to assess players and prepare for future competitions," Kimanzi stated before the team’s departure.
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Kenya’s second group match will see them take on Kilimanjaro Stars on January 7, 2025, before rounding off their group-stage fixtures against Zanzibar Heroes on January 10, 2025.
Fixture alert! 📢
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) January 2, 2025
Harambee Stars vs. Burkina Faso kicks off our Mapinduzi Cup run this Saturday. 🇰🇪
#HarambeeStars #MapinduziCup2025 pic.twitter.com/KAdESWlYtP
The Harambee Stars’ travelling squad comprises 24 players, all selected based on their recent performances and potential contributions. The team has been training at the Mpesa Foundation Academy, refining tactics and building cohesion ahead of the tournament.
Kimanzi emphasised the importance of the competition for player evaluation and strategy adjustment, particularly as Kenya aims to reclaim its position as a competitive footballing nation.
The group-stage matches will conclude with Kenya’s game against Zanzibar Heroes, after which the tournament will pause for a two-day break on January 11 and 12, 2025. The finals, scheduled for January 13, 2025, will feature the top two teams from the tournament in a decisive clash.
