How indiscipline cost Harambee Stars good preps for CHAN
Despite Kenya picking an important four points off Group stages in the just ended 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, backend issues arose that cost the team fortunes.
Harambee Stars were eliminated by hosts Zanzibar 1-0 in extra time. The match that saw Kenya finish with 10 men after Captain Aboud Omar was red-carded ended had its controversial moment that put Kenya in a bad place. With the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) edging closer with Kenya being co-host, the outside effects are seen as a distraction to the chances of the home team.
The team ultimately in an important match failed to keep emotions in check thus ending and exiting the tournament in bad fashion. The way the Kenyan players accosted the match official after what appeared a controversial call of Aboud’s sending off was just the beginning of problems. The referee was also at the centre of the mishap after cameras capture him throw a punch which landed on Omar who had also taken time to depart the pitch.
It was utter confusion as Omar took a while to depart the pitch, an indication that the Kenyans were losing their heads. This might seem as a one off but analysts believe there could be a simmering internal concern on discipline issues that needs to be addressed.
After the match, the heat still persisted with one of Kenya’s technical members, Arnold Origi confronting the referee in protest as tempers were still boiling in what was very competitive duel which finally ended in Zanzibar’s favor with a 1-0 win.
Incidentally, Omar is known to have disciplinary issues and his inclusion in the team leave alone his captaincy was always going to be viewed by neutrals as a mistake. Another concern is the fact that the team he led had mostly newcomers who were making debuts and therefore need a cool head to guide them.
One onlooker (John Mutua) was in displeasure with Aboud’s mistake and attitude in overall.
“Streak of indiscipline; a second or third red card for Aboud Omar. Costly mistake! Separately, during AFCON qualifiers, his tussle with Eric Johanna, perhaps the reason why the latter was MIA.”
The 32-year-old former Tusker FC player interestingly posted a cryptic and strange message on his Instagram stories afterwards. “A Jew can grow his beard to practice his faith, but when a Muslim does the same, he is labeled extremist. A nun can cover herself from head to toe to devote herself to God, but when a Muslim does the same, she is considered oppressed,” read part of the quote.
On the whole, the body language and general character when the team felt hard done by was wanting and it almost felt they lacked direction or a leader.
