Harambee Stars treacherously return to Nairobi under cover of night
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 22.07.25. | 08:46
Coach McCarthy made it clear the team would not participate under the prevailing conditions
After a grueling 400 km road trip from Karatu, Tanzania, the Harambee Stars contingent finally landed in Nairobi in the early hours of Tuesday, 22 July, morning.
They immediately proceeded to camp, where preparations for the upcoming CHAN tournament, set to kick off in two weeks, are set to continue.
The team, under the stewardship of Benni McCarthy, is gearing up for the Championship, which begins on Saturday, 2 August and is co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Kenya has been placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo. Their opening match is scheduled for Sunday, 3 August against DR Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
As part of their build-up to CHAN, Harambee Stars had traveled to Tanzania on Saturday, 19 July, for the CECAFA Four-Nation Tournament.
However, the team was forced to return via road shortly afterwards, following Kenya's withdrawal from the event due to what was described as a logistical nightmare. Coach McCarthy made it clear the team would not participate under the prevailing conditions.
Of particular concern to McCarthy were the substandard hotel conditions, the absence of a proper training ground, and the lack of basic amenities such as internet access, a vital communication tool in modern team operations.
On Tuesday, the Football Kenya Federation officially confirmed the withdrawal.
"The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to inform the public that the Harambee Stars have withdrawn from the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament in Tanzania," part of the federation's statement read.
Though the statement did not go into detail, FKF acknowledged that the decision was made on the advice of head coach Benni McCarthy after his assessment of the situation on the ground.
“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 statement added.
“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.”
"FKF remains committed to providing the national team with the best possible environment to compete and represent the country with pride," the statement concluded.
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