Harambee Stars forward opens up on his huge 2026 career goals

Injured Bandari and Harambee Stars forward David Sakwa is hoping to make a return to the team in the next FIFA international window.

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Sakwa has endured a stop-start season at Bandari, missing regular action after a groin injury sidelined him for close to two months.

The setback, sustained shortly after the October 2025 FIFA international break, ruled him out of several high-profile fixtures, including clashes against Gor Mahia, Ulinzi Stars, and APS Bomet.

The forward believes the prospect of a return to the national team is providing the extra fuel in his recovery journey.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the former Matunda Sports Club winger revealed that the upcoming March international break has sharpened his focus and intensity behind the scenes.

“There is an international break coming up, and that is my target,” Sakwa said. “I am doing everything possible to recover on time. I want to score goals and create chances to convince coach Benni McCarthy that I deserve another call-up.”

Sakwa, who has earned four caps for Harambee Stars, aims to regain match fitness quickly, secure valuable minutes for Bandari, and translate that into goals and assists.

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He hopes that consistency will place him firmly back in the national team conversation.

According to the FIFA calendar, the next international break runs from 23-31 March.

Kenya are yet to confirm their opponents for that window, with the African Super League also expected to be introduced around the same period.

The striker admits the 2025/26 season has, so far, not unfolded as he had envisioned, largely due to recurring injuries that have disrupted his rhythm.

“This season has not been good to me. I started with injuries, and I am still recovering, but I am putting in the work to come back stronger. I want to help the team, score goals, and take Bandari back to where we belong.”

Despite the frustrations, Sakwa remains encouraged by the progress he is making in his recovery and believes that patience will pay off for both club and country.

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Off the pitch, his future at Bandari has also come into focus as his contract is set to expire this month, and while he is understood to have received interest from elsewhere, he insists his focus remains with the Dockers.

“Contract talks are there, but that is someone else’s work. At the moment, I am a Bandari player, and I will always give my best when called upon.”

Sakwa’s rise has been anything but ordinary; he began his career at Matunda Sports Club, where he played a key role in guiding the side to three consecutive promotions up to the FKF Division One before the club rebranded to Kiminini Combined.

After just six months in the third tier, he earned a trial at Premier League side Bandari and impressed enough to secure a contract in January 2024 under then-coach John Baraza.

His breakthrough continued at the international level; three months into life at the coastal club, Sakwa received his first national team call-up in March 2024, though he narrowly missed out on the final squad.

A turbulent debut top-flight season followed in 2024/25, but it did not halt his progress.

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In June 2025, he returned to the Harambee Stars fold and this time made the final squad.

He was an unused substitute in a goalless draw against Chad before coming off the bench in the return leg to score in Kenya’s 2-1 victory.

McCarthy’s faith in the forward grew further, handing him a full debut on 3 August 2025, against DR Congo at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

He played 79 minutes in a 1-0 win and capped the performance with an assist. He has since been named against Angola, Morocco, Zambia, and Madagascar.