With just ten days to go before the kickoff of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), top Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials visited the Harambee Stars training camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to boost team morale and reaffirm institutional support.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed and CEO Harold Ndege led the delegation to Nyayo National Stadium, where the national team under head coach Benni McCarthy is stepping up preparations for the highly anticipated continental showdown.
“A big thank you to FKF President Hussein Mohammed and CEO Harold Ndege for passing by today’s session to boost the boys,” read a statement posted on Harambee Stars’ official X account.
Their visit follows mounting scrutiny over the federation’s internal stability and decision-making, particularly after Kenya’s abrupt withdrawal from the Four Nations Tournament earlier this week. The team had already boarded a flight to Tanzania before pulling out of the CECAFA-organised competition, which was seen as a key build-up event for CHAN.
Mariga Missing from Leadership Visit
Conspicuously absent during the FKF leadership visit was Vice President McDonald Mariga, whose position came under speculation earlier this week following reports of a leadership reshuffle.
Addressing the rumours, President Hussein Mohammed posted a clarification on X, urging the public to disregard claims that NEC member Abdalla Yusuf had taken over as vice president. He described the reports, attributed to a local veteran journalist, as false and misleading.
McCarthy Keen on Performance, Not Excuses
Coach Benni McCarthy, who has been overseeing an intensive training program, reiterated his focus on maximizing the team’s preparation despite earlier disruptions.
“We decided to come back and continue our training at home. We are in the group of death, and if we don’t prepare adequately, we are going to have shortcomings. People will ask questions. We don’t want to make any excuses. So our coming back to Kenya was the best possible way of going on with our preparations,” McCarthy stated.
The former South African international also confirmed that striker Masud Juma, previously linked to Iran’s Esteghlal FC, is eligible for final selection after signing for a lower-tier club.
“Masud Juma is another player who has been communicated to us that he is back in Kenya. He has signed with a first or a second division team, and he is eligible to play. If I want to include him, I am welcome to do so,” McCarthy said.
With the CHAN tournament drawing near, McCarthy’s technical bench and the FKF leadership are under increasing pressure to deliver a credible performance in front of home fans. Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, is co-hosting this year’s edition of CHAN from August 2 to August 30, 2025.
