Harambee Stars departed on Saturday for Arusha ahead of the tournament, where they will fine-tune their preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from August 2nd to 30th.
Kenya is heading into the tournament having lost two key strikers – Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro – both whom became ineligible to feature in the tournament after signing permanent two-year contracts with Zambian Super League side Power Dynamos.
The unexpected departure of Shumah, who was the top scorer in the just concluded Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League with 17 goals for Kakamega Homeboyz, followed by Osoro, who scored 16 goals and provided seven assists for FC Talanta, left the South African legend with no option but to add a new face to his striking department.
McCarthy has now settled for Juma, who is unattached after parting ways with Iranian outfit Esteghlal Sport Club. The experienced Juma, who has already won 22 caps for Harambee Stars and scored eight goals, will fight for the starting role alongside Boniface Muchiri, Felix Uluoch, Mohammed Bajaber, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, and Austin Odongo.
Farouk Shikalo, alongside Byrne Omondi and Sepstianos Wekesa, were retained in the goalkeeping department while the defensive line comprises Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Pamba Swaleh, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, and Kevin Okumu.
The midfield will see a mix of youth and experience with Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, and Marvin Nabwire expected to provide creativity and control in the middle of the park.
The CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament, which will attract Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and guest side Senegal, will run from July 21st to 27th in Karatu, in the Arusha region in Tanzania. Congo Brazzaville were earlier lined up to grace the tournament, but they pulled out citing logistical problems and were replaced by Senegal.
According to the Executive Director of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), John Gecheo, the tournament will be used as a warm-up ahead of the CHAN tournament.
“The primary objective of this competition is to offer our Zonal teams a valuable platform to prepare adequately ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for August 2025,” said Gecheo in a recent interview.
McCarthy has welcomed the tournament, saying it had come at the right time to gauge the preparedness of his players ahead of the CHAN. “It is a good tournament to gauge our preparedness for CHAN. We are going to face formidable opponents and that will clearly show us what is working and what needs to be fixed,” said McCarthy.
The mini-tournament will see every team play three matches in a round robin format, and the team with the most points will emerge winners. Kenya will open their campaign against regional rivals Uganda Cranes on Monday, July 21st at 3pm, before facing hosts Tanzania on Thursday, July 24th at 4pm.
The Stars will wrap up their group matches with a clash against Senegal on Sunday, July 27th at 1pm. All matches will be played at Karatu Stadium in Arusha. Uganda and Sudan will open proceedings in the early kick-off on Thursday, July 24th, before Harambee Stars face a fiery test against Tanzania later on the same day.
Harambee Stars Squad
Goalkeepers: Farouk Shikalo, Byrne Omondi, Sepstianos Wekesa.
Defenders: Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Pamba Swaleh, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, Kevin Okumu.
Midfielders: Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire.
Forwards: Masud Juma, Boniface Muchiri, Felix Oluoch, Mohammed Bajaber, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, Austin Odongo.
Dennis MabukaFlashscore