Harambee Stars defender Sylvester Owino is confident that the national team has a strong squad capable of dominating the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup, which will be held in Zanzibar from January 3 to 13, 2025.
The Gor Mahia player is among the 38 players in the provisional squad, who have been training at the M-Pesa Foundation grounds in Thika since Sunday, December 29.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over Ksh 396 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
Speaking to the media at the training camp, Owino stated that the mood has been positive and that the players have shown strong commitment.
“Generally, everything has been going well here. Preparations are at a high level, and the players are showing great interest in the training sessions. I believe that by the time we head into the tournament, we will be ready,” Owino said.
He further added that the squad is in good shape and remains optimistic about their chances in the Mapinduzi Cup.
“We have a good squad, so I don’t think we will exit the tournament empty-handed,” he added. “We are going for the trophy, and I hope for the best, trusting that God will help things work in our favor.”
Harambee Stars’ first match in the Mapinduzi Cup will be on Sunday, January 5, when they face Burundi, followed by a match against the host team, Zanzibar, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
ALSO READ: Francis Kimanzi outlines mission with Harambee Stars ahead of Mapinduzi Cup
Francis Kimanzi, who is leading the team on an interim basis, is set to announce his final squad soon. This group will participate in the Mapinduzi Cup as part of their preparations for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in February.
On his part, Kimanzi stated that the players have been working diligently, describing the assessment process as gradual.
“We have had four sessions so far, and this is the fifth one. We have been working hard, and we are lucky because we have been able to do double sessions with no injuries.” Kimanzi said.
“The assessment is a gradual process, as each session brings different results depending on the objective. But what we have now, out of the 38 players, is something promising. The hard work and energy they put into each training session is making the players much better.”
Goalkeeper Brian Omondi, considered the national team’s number one choice, echoed similar sentiments. He noted that while some players were affected by the festive season, they are recovering well.
““I think that, as we are in the festive season, some people have been a bit down, but we are picking up very well. I believe that before the tournament kicks off, everyone will be ready,” Omondi said.
“The coaches are new, and the tactics will be different. The way we have trained the goalkeepers means we can all perform well, so it will just be up to the coach to select the best players.”
ALSO READ: Arnold Origi opens up on his return to Harambee Stars and coaching journey
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia 2024: A year of glory and setbacks