Harambee Stars ready to battle Kilimanjaro Stars in Mapinduzi Cup showdown
Harambee Stars take on Kilimanjaro Stars tonight at 7 pm in the Mapinduzi Cup at Gombani Stadium. Both teams are eager for a win in this East African derby, with Kenya looking to extend its dominance and Tanzania aiming for redemption.
Harambee Stars will face off against Kilimanjaro Stars tonight at 7 pm in a much-anticipated Mapinduzi Cup clash at the Gombani Stadium on Zanzibar’s Pemba Island. This East African derby promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams aim to register their first win of the tournament.
Kenya enters the match fresh from a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso, while Tanzania is looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat to hosts Zanzibar. With the stakes high and the rivalry intense, both sides are prepared for a tough encounter.
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Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi exuded confidence as he addressed the press earlier, stating that his team is ready for the challenge. "We have prepared well and are looking forward to the match. Tanzania will bring their best, and we are ready to match them," said Kimanzi. He downplayed concerns about injuries in his squad and emphasized the importance of staying focused.
Mapinduzi Cup 2025 🏆✨
— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) January 7, 2025
DERBY ALERT 🚨
Kenya's Harambee Stars take on Tanzania Kilimanjaro Stars in their second match.
Kenya drew Burkina Faso 1-1 in their first match while Tanzania lost 1-0 to Zanzibar in their first match.
KE 🇰🇪 vs TZ 🇹🇿
⏰ 7 PM EAT #mapinduzicup2025… pic.twitter.com/KnxaL2pgvS
Captain Abud Omar also expressed optimism, acknowledging the fierce competition between the neighbouring nations. "This is a derby, and it’s never easy. Both teams are determined to win, but we’ve worked hard and are confident of a good result," Omar stated. His teammate Boniface Muchiri added, "We’ve learned from our last game and are ready to push for the win tonight."
The match also serves as a valuable preparation platform for Kenya’s 2025 CHAN campaign, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Kimanzi emphasized the tournament’s role in giving young players international exposure. Promising talents like Kelly Madada and Kinyajui earned praise for their performances in the opening game, with Muchiri urging them to stay focused and continue working hard.
On the other side, Tanzania’s coach Ahmad Ally acknowledged the challenge posed by Kenya. "Kenya is a well-organized team. We’ve analyzed their game, and we know we need to stay sharp for the entire 90 minutes," said Ally.
This will be the 69th meeting between the two nations, with Kenya holding the upper hand historically. Harambee Stars have won 36 of the previous encounters, while Tanzania has managed 17 victories. Kenya is also unbeaten against Tanzania since 2012 and aims to maintain this dominance tonight.
