Harambee Stars are set to face Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Zanzibar in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, with the fixtures now confirmed. The tournament, taking place in Zanzibar, will serve as a key part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). It offers an opportunity for the team to assess their squad and fine-tune their strategies before the continental competition.
Kenya will kick off their campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday, January 6th, at 8:15 PM at Gombani Stadium on Pemba Island. This will be followed by a match against Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars on Tuesday, January 9th, at the same venue. The group stage will conclude with a clash against Zanzibar on Friday, January 12th. The top two teams from the group will advance to the final, scheduled for Monday, January 13th.
Interim head coach Francis Kimanzi has unveiled a 24-man squad for the tournament, focusing on youthful players who could form the backbone of the team for CHAN. This selection process has seen the inclusion of several emerging talents, though some notable players have been left out. Among those missing from the squad are KCB striker Francis Kahiro, who is the second-highest scorer in the FKF Premier League, and Tusker’s captain Charles Momanyi, a key figure in the club’s defense. Other absentees include Shabana’s Brian Michira, who has been in fine form this season but missed out due to passport issues, as well as players from Kenya Police and AFC Leopards, including Marvin Nabwire, Ovella Ochieng, Victor Omune, and Sydney Lokale.
Kimanzi has emphasized that these omissions are not permanent, and many of the excluded players will be considered for the CHAN squad once preparations begin. The coach explained that the Mapinduzi Cup is part of a broader strategy to assess local talent and refine the team for the upcoming continental competition. He also pointed out the importance of scouting players from Kenya’s lower leagues, highlighting Isaac Omweri from Nairobi United, the only representative from the National Super League, as an example of untapped potential in the country’s football scene.
The Mapinduzi Cup presents a competitive environment for Harambee Stars to build momentum and cohesion ahead of CHAN. The tournament will allow Kimanzi and his coaching staff to gauge the team’s progress, test different tactics, and evaluate the players’ readiness for the challenges of the African Nations Championship. With the team facing regional rivals, the tournament promises to be a crucial step in Kenya’s football journey, offering a platform for emerging players to make their mark and for the squad to come together ahead of the bigger challenges that lie ahead.
Fans will be eager to see how Harambee Stars perform in this tournament, with hopes high for a strong showing that can boost the team’s confidence as they prepare for CHAN. The results of the Mapinduzi Cup will not only be a reflection of the team’s readiness but also a chance to inspire the next generation of Kenyan footballers to aspire for greatness on the continental stage.
