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The Kenya National Football Team, Harambee Stars, has withdrawn from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Four Nations Tournament, just days before the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The event was scheduled to take place from Monday, July 21, to Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Arusha, Tanzania and featured CHAN 2024 co-hosts Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Organised under the auspices of CECAFA, the four-team competition was designed to offer vital match practice for the participating sides less than two weeks before CHAN kicks off on August 2.
However, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a statement on Monday said that Harambee Stars has withdrawn from the tournament following recommendations and advice from the team’s technical bench, led by Head Coach Benni McCarthy.
The team had already arrived in Tanzania and will now return to Kenya and resume preparations for CHAN.
“This decision has been made following recommendations and advice from the team’s technical bench, led by Head Coach Benni McCarthy, after a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions, which were deemed unsuitable for the team’s participation and overall preparation.
The team will return to Kenya and resume preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, with full focus now shifting to ensuring optimal readiness for the assignment ahead,” said FKF.
“FKF remains committed to providing the national team with the best possible environment to compete and represent the country with pride.”
Senegal joins four-nation CHAN warm-up tournament
This comes days after Senegal were confirmed as the fourth team in the tournament.
The West African giants stepped in as late replacements for Congo Brazzaville, who pulled out due to logistical challenges.
Also Read: Ruto Makes Wild Promise for Harambee Stars in CHAN 2025
CECAFA Competitions Director Yusuf Mossi said the inclusion of Senegal enhances the competitive level of the warm-up event.
“It is unfortunate Congo Brazzaville withdrew because of some logistical challenges, but having Senegal come in to take part will give our teams Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania a real test of a team from another zone,” Mossi said.
“It is very good that this tournament is played because it will give coaches chances to test several players and also get teams to gain a lot of match fitness because most of the leagues ended several weeks ago.”
The round-robin format was set to feature the four teams, with each team playing three matches.
Kenya was originally scheduled to open their campaign against Uganda today, followed by a clash against hosts Tanzania on Thursday and a final group game against Senegal on Sunday.
Despite the late withdrawal, the tournament will proceed, with Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal remaining in the competition. Harambee Stars will now shift focus fully to the 2024 CHAN, as the team looks to make a mark in the continental competition.
The competition will be held across three East African countries – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – from August 2 to August 30, featuring national teams composed exclusively of players who play in their respective domestic leagues.
Harambee Stars set for tough Group A matches
All of Kenya’s group stage matches will be played at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium. Head coach Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars are drawn in a tough Group A alongside continental giants DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia.
Also Read: Benni McCarthy Powerless as Powerful People Call Up Harambee Stars Team
Kenya will kick off their campaign on Sunday, August 3, with a high-stakes opener against DR Congo.
Next, they will take on Angola on Thursday, August 7 — a familiar opponent last encountered during the 2011 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
On Sunday, August 10, the Stars will face tournament favourites Morocco before wrapping up the group stage with a clash against regional rivals Zambia on Sunday, August 17.
Ahead of the tournament, Coach McCarthy trimmed his provisional squad following a behind-closed-doors friendly against a team of former Kariobangi Sharks players.
Kenya lost 3-1 over three halves in the training match, prompting swift changes to the roster.
Six players were dropped, including Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Stafford Odhiambo, and Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars).
New additions to the squad include Shabana FC’s Austin Odongo, Bryne Odhiambo, and Kenya Police FC midfielder Marvin Nabwire.
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