Kenya players training for Mapinduzi Cup – Photo Courtesy FKF Media.
Kenya’s national team Harambee Stars will begin their quest to win Mapinduzi Cup with a fixture against Burkina Faso at Gombani Stadium in Zanzibar on Saturday.
Harambee Stars, who are featuring in the invitational tournament for the first time, have been drawn alongside Burkina Faso, Tanzania and hosts Zanzibar. After playing against the Stallions, they will confront Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Tuesday, December 7, and wind up their group matches against Zanzibar on Friday, December 10.
Kenya are using the tournament as part of their preparations for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament which they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Ahead of the tournament, Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi explained why the tournament provides him with the base to build a strong squad for the CHAN tournament, which is reserved for players, who ply their trades in respective local leagues.
“We had a large squad initially because we wanted to analyse and give all a chance to show what they can do. All the 40 that were in camp from the onset are really quality players but we needed just 24 for Mapinduzi Cup. We now have a base that we will build on ahead of CHAN,” explained Kimanzi.
His sentiments were echoed by defender Charles Momanyi, who further emphasised the players’ motivation and the importance of the Mapinduzi Cup in preparing for the upcoming CHAN tournament.
“We had a great first training session, and the players are highly motivated. With such a large squad, everyone is eager to prove themselves. The Mapinduzi Cup is crucial in our preparation for CHAN, making this tournament very important for us,” said Momanyi.
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