As Kenya races against time to get infrastructure in place ahead of the CHAN (Africa Nations Championships), the national team Harambee Stars are also doing their magic at the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.
The Francis Kimanzi-coached side has now picked four points in two outings and the camp is buoyed and buzzing in confidence. On Tuesday night, the Stars humbled their traditional rivals Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Stars 2-0 at Gombani Stadium to go top of the group after two encounters. The two countries have always had exciting contests in what has been a second derby-fest after Kenya and Uganda.
Kenya who had in the first game Sunday evening tied 1-1 with Burkina Faso, then 48 hours later played well to earn full points on the road with second half goals coming off offensive players Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC) and Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi FC).
The match had a very cagey look and almost drab in the opening stanza as both teams retreated to the changing rooms goalless. The team will shift focus to their next match against hosts Zanzibar on Friday.
Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed in his congratulatory message to the team on his official X account said; “Congratulations to Kenya on the 2-0 win over Kilimanjaro Stars in the Mapinduzi Cup! A great response from the team, showing they have what it takes to go all the way. This tournament is a key part of our preparations for CHAN, and performances like this build the confidence needed for success. Weldone Harambee Stars!”
New Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has also offered optimism about Kenya’s readiness to host the CHAN Championship in the next coming weeks.
This is after getting a feel of Nyayo Stadium and Moi Sports Centre Kasarani early today accompanied by his predecessor Kipchumba Murkomen.
“We have visited Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani Stadium to witness for ourselves progress and we are confident Kenya is ready to host the upcoming CHAN event. At the same time we have also visited the two training facilities; Ulinzi Complex and Police Sacco Stadium and we are sure, we are satisfied with the status.”
