Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi has outlined his mission with the national team as they prepare for the Mapinduzi Cup, set to take place from January 3 to 18, 2025, in Zanzibar.
The 37 players named to the provisional squad have reported at the Mpesa Foundation Academy, where training began on Saturday, December 28.
The squad includes a mix of young players and experienced ones, all undergoing evaluation as the tournament will serve as preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya is set to co-host with Uganda and Tanzania in February 2025.
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In his first session, Kimanzi emphasized that the goal of the training is to select the best team from the large group. He assured that all the players would be given a chance to prove themselves, either in the CHAN tournament or the Mapinduzi Cup.
“Today was our first session with a large squad. The goal is to test all the players, and we have begun that process while introducing some tactics. Everyone will have a chance to show what they can do as we start building the team. While our focus is on the Mapinduzi Cup, the ultimate aim is to prepare a strong squad for CHAN,” said Kimanzi.
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Tusker FC center-back Charles Momanyi also spoke positively about the team’s performance despite the large number of players. He noted that everyone is motivated and eager to prove themselves for both the CHAN and the Mapinduzi Cup.
“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.
Kimanzi is being assisted by Gor Mahia interim coach Zedekiah Otieno and Mathare United head coach John Kamau.
The tournament will feature national teams from Burundi, Uganda, Burkina Faso, as well as two teams from Tanzania: Zanzibar Heroes and Kilimanjaro Stars.
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Provisional Harambee Stars Squad
Goalkeepers
Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Morgan Ambuka (Murang’a SEAL)
Defenders
Brian Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Charles Momanyi (Tusker FC), Hanif Wesonga (KCB FC), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka FC), Ronald Sichenje (AFC Leopards), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), David Wafula (Murang’a SEAL)
Midfielders
Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Musa Katimbi (Kenya Police FC), Michael Mutinda (KCB FC), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Brian Michira (Shabana FC), Ovella Ochieng (AFC Leopards), David Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Isaac Omweri (Nairobi United FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Samuel Kapen (Gor Mahia FC), Darius Msagah (Shabana FC), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police FC), Shafan Siwa (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia FC)
Strikers
Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Francis Kahiro (KCB FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz)
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