The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced the withdrawal of the Harambee Stars from the upcoming CECAFA Four Nations Tournament in Tanzania.
The decision comes after careful consideration by the team’s technical bench, led by Head Coach Benni McCarthy, who cited unsuitable conditions for the team’s participation and preparation.
The Harambee Stars was set to face Tanzania in their opening match of the CECAFA Four-Nation Tournament today at Karatu Stadium in Arusha, kicking off at 3:00 PM EAT.
In an official statement released today, FKF emphasized that the withdrawal was necessary to prioritize the team’s readiness for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
Harambee Stars was the first team to arrive in Arusha on Friday ahead of the CECAFA 4-Nations Tournament slated for July 21-27th, 2025.
The Harambee Stars will now return to Kenya to focus entirely on their preparations for the continental tournament.
“The team’s technical bench conducted a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions and advised against participation in the CECAFA tournament,” read part of the FKF statement.
FKF said the primary goal is to ensure the team is optimally prepared for CHAN 2024, and remains committed to providing the best environment for the players to compete at the highest level.
The CECAFA Four Nations Tournament, which was set to feature teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations, will proceed without Kenya’s involvement.
Fans and stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting the decision to prioritize CHAN, while others lament the missed opportunity for regional competition.
FKF assured the public that the Harambee Stars will continue training with full focus on delivering a strong performance at CHAN 2024.