Harambee Stars face Burkina Faso as Mapinduzi Cup journey begins

The Mapinduzi Cup offers Harambee Stars a rare chance to play in January, a month they rarely feature in international football. For a team that has struggled to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), this tournament is a timely reminder of what top-level competition feels like.

Harambee Stars will kick off their campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday night at Gombani Stadium, Zanzibar. The match, set to start at 8:15 pm, marks the first outing under interim coach Francis Kimanzi, who took charge in December 2024 following the departure of Turkish coach Engin Firat.

Match day!#HarambeeStars #MapinduziCup2025 pic.twitter.com/TQNAcEDcGE

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) January 4, 2025

Burkina Faso brings back memories of a time when Kenya held its own against Africa's football giants. The two nations have faced each other four times, all between 1997 and 2004, during which Kenya enjoyed a dominant run with a 75% win rate.

Kenya's most iconic win came on April 6, 1997, when Mike Okoth scored a hat-trick to inspire a 4-3 comeback victory in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Kasarani. The Stars followed up with a 4-2 triumph in the return leg, a rare away win in West Africa.

Burkina Faso claimed their only victory in a 2000 friendly match in Nairobi. But their most memorable meeting for Kenyans was in 2004, when Harambee Stars beat them 3-0 in Tunisia to secure their first-ever AFCON win.

Since that 2004 encounter, the two teams have taken very different paths. Kenya has qualified for just one AFCON tournament, in 2019, benefitting from the expansion to 24 teams. In contrast, Burkina Faso has become a continental powerhouse, appearing in every AFCON since 2010 (except 2019), finishing as runners-up in 2013, third in 2017, and fourth in 2021.

This backdrop makes Saturday's match a far cry from the lopsided contests of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Burkina Faso is no longer the underdog, and Harambee Stars will face a stern test as they prepare for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Kimanzi’s Return

This is Harambee Stars’ first January fixture since the 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt, where they managed just one win in four matches. However, the team has had brighter January moments, such as holding Olympic champions Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in 1997 and reaching the CECAFA Final in 2009 under Kimanzi.

Now in his third stint as coach, Kimanzi will aim to revive hope in the national team. A strong performance in the Mapinduzi Cup, starting with a win against Burkina Faso, would be a step in the right direction. Kenya’s upcoming group games against Tanzania (January 7) and Zanzibar (January 10) offer further opportunities to build momentum.

Key Players to Watch

Kenya’s youthful squad will look to captain Abud Omar for leadership. The experienced left-back is expected to start alongside Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija, and Siraj Mohammed in defence. Farouk Shikhalo is likely to get the nod in goal.

Midfield selection will be a balancing act for Kimanzi. A double pivot of Chrispine Erambo and Michael Mutinda could anchor the team, with Austine Odhiambo, James Kinyanjui, and Kenneth Muguna offering creativity further upfield. Ryan Ogam is expected to lead the attack.

Probable Line-Up

Goalkeeper: Farouk Shikhalo

Defender: Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija, Siraj Mohammed, Abud Omar.

Midfielders: Chrispine Erambo, Michael Mutinda, Austine Odhiambo, Kenneth Muguna.

Forwards: James Kinyanjui and Ryan Ogam

As the Stars begin their journey in Zanzibar, the Mapinduzi Cup offers both a test and an opportunity - a chance for Harambee Stars to find their rhythm ahead of CHAN 2025.