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Harambee Stars interim head coach Francis Kimanzi has said that the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup will help the team prepare for the CHAN tournament early next year.

Kenya were invited to take part in the tournament in Zanzibar from January 3-13, and Kimanzi outlined the key goal for accepting the invitation.

Harambee Stars have already reported to camp and held their first training session on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Mpesa Foundation Academy.

“It was our first session with quite a large squad. The goal is to test all the players, and we managed to do that while introducing some tactics. Everyone will get a chance to show what they can do as we start building the team.

“While the focus is on the Mapinduzi Cup, the ultimate goal is to prepare a strong squad for CHAN,” Kimanzi said as per the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) website.

Tusker defender Charles Momanyi echoed Kimanzi’s emphasis on using the Mapinduzi Cup showpiece as preparation for the continental competition, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.

“We had a great first training session, and the players are highly motivated. With such a large squad, everyone is eager to prove themselves. The Mapinduzi Cup is crucial in our preparation for CHAN, making this tournament very important for us,” Momanyi said.

Kenya’s provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders: Brian Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Charles Momanyi (Tusker FC), Hanif Wesonga (KCB FC), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka FC), Ronald Sichenje (AFC Leopards), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC)

Midfielders: Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Musa Katimbi (Kenya Police FC), Michael Mutinda (KCB FC), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Brian Michira (Shabana FC), Ovella Ochieng (AFC Leopards), David Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Isaac Omweri (Nairobi United FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Samuel Kapen (Gor Mahia FC), Darius Msagah (Shabana FC), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards). Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police FC), Shafan Siwa (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia).

Strikers: Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Francis Kahiro (KCB FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Interim technical bench: Francis Kimanzi (Head Coach) John Kamau, Zedekiah Otieno (Assistant Coaches) Arnold Origi (Goalkeeper Coach) Mikael Igediah (Fitness Technology), Wycliff Makanga (Team Doctor), Noel Mandi (Physiotherapist)