The Kenya national soccer team, Harambee Stars, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, got a feel of competitive action in a thrilling 4-0 win against reigning Football Kenya Premier League champions Police FC.

The clash saw Benni McCarthy’s team intensify their preparations for CHAN 2024 following the failed prospect of pitting their wits against neighbouring rivals in the Four Nations Tournament.

Aboud Omar, who will skipper the team for the side, is among the players who featured in the clash alongside AFC Leopards’ defender Lewis Bandi.

Marvin Nabwire, a late call-up to the national team fold for the CHAN games, also featured in the team midfield as Boniface Muchiri, Austine Odhiambo, and Shabana’s Austine Odongo led the attack.

CHAN beckons

The test match, coming just a week away from the start of the competition on home soil, availed a further opportunity for McCarthy to assess his charges on a competitive front, after Kenya’s preparations were thrown in disarray following the team’s decision to opt out of the scheduled Four Nations Tournament.

The mini-tournament, nonetheless, went on with Tanzania, Uganda, and Senegal. featuring.

The team has, however, remained bullish and focused on the upcoming game, with Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija recently downplaying the effects of the disruptions. “There has been no effect on us. The spirit is high in the camp, and we are ready. As long as that (tournament) was part of the preparation for the CHAN, we are continuing. Nothing has changed; we are on and up to the task ahead,” he stated.

Stars CHAN schedule

Harambee Stars will play their Group ‘A’ matches at Kasarani Stadium. They have been drawn alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.

Kenya will open their Group A clash against DRC on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Kenya’s second fixture will be against Angola on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, before they face Morocco on Sunday, August 10, 2025, and wind up their group fixtures against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on Sunday, August 17, 2025. 

This will mark Kenya’s debut in the CHAN tournament. While the country last featured in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, where the team exited at the group stage, this time Harambee Stars will be eager to make a deeper run, especially with the added motivation of playing on home soil. 

The tournament will run from August 2 to August 30, 2025, and promises to be a thrilling celebration of local football talent across East Africa.