Harambee Stars arrive in camp ahead of Chad friendlies

Harambee Stars training at the Nyayo National Stadium on March 21, 2025. (Photo: FKF Media )

By Bashir Mbuthia
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Harambee Stars Head Coach Benni McCarthy expressed optimism about the team's preparations ahead of their upcoming friendly matches against Chad, saying the players showed enthusiasm and good spirit.

Harambee Stars held their first training session in Nairobi on Monday ahead of scheduled friendlies against Chad on June 7 and June 10.

The matches, to be played in Morocco, are part of preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) set to kick off in August

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The 25-man squad took part in the session, which was focused on building match fitness, sharpening tactics, and strengthening cohesion as McCarthy continues to assess his options ahead of the tournament.

Speaking after the session, Harambee Stars Head Coach Benni McCarthy expressed optimism about the team's preparations ahead of their upcoming friendly matches against Chad, saying the players showed enthusiasm and good spirit.

"I hope we will have a good week, and I think these two friendly matches that are coming up are just to give everyone match fitness and to get us going for CHAN. That is the purpose of this camp," he said.

Additionally, McCarthy explained that his selection included players based abroad who hadn't had much game time recently, including William Wilson, who played a crucial role during World Cup qualifiers but has struggled for minutes at club level since.

"This camp will give him a nice opportunity to play two games and keep himself involved with the national team because there's something there. He is a fantastic player and you want to keep him around because for AFCON 2027, Kenya will want to have players like that around," he said.

The Harambee Stars Head Coach also clarified why some emerging talent, including U20 players, were not included in the current squad. He said it was important to give them a break after a demanding Africa U20 Cup of Nations tournament and also to assess other players with CHAN in mind.

"I would like to give young players the opportunity, but they also have to rest. I also want to have a look at the players that have been selected. I want to have the best players for CHAN. I don't want to go there and participate and lose every game, so for me, I have to look from all angles," he said.

"I picked a team that I thought was strong, that has a little bit of experience, but they are players that young players can learn from when we bring them in."

McCarthy also addressed Victor Wanyama's absence from the final squad, following his earlier inclusion in the provisional list, dismissing speculation surrounding Wanyama's commitment. He cited personal matters as the reason for Wanyama's withdrawal.

Wanyama had been included in the initial provisional squad more than four years after he announced his retirement in 2021, but later pulled out due to personal commitments in the United Kingdom. Gor Mahia's playmaker, Austin Odhiamb,o subsequently replaced Wanyama in the squad.

"It's unfortunate that Wanyama couldn't make it because he's got family matters, so it's not a question of whether the player did not want to come. He is a local icon. He is somebody this country has to respect," said McCarthy.

"When it comes to football, he is one player who put Kenya's name on the map, together with (Michael) Olunga and (Macdonald) Mariga. It is unfortunate, but there will be other opportunities."