Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, returned to the country on Friday, June 13, 2025, to a hero’s welcome.

In a post on their official X account, dated June 13, 2025. The team took to the socials, notifying their return.

“Stars are back home,” read a post on their X account.

Their return follows a commanding 2-0 win over Chad in an international friendly match played in Morocco.

The win marks the first for new head coach Benni McCarthy, the South African legend tasked with revamping Kenya’s squad ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

McCarthy, a former South African striker, was appointed head coach in March 2025 with a two-year deal aimed at qualifying Kenya for the 2026 World Cup, a milestone the country has never achieved despite his participation in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

McCarthy, visibly proud of his side’s performance, said the match offered invaluable experience for the largely home-based squad set to feature in the continental tournament.

“For the boys going to CHAN, I hope this experience has shown them the level I expect and the level we can reach when we play our best football,” McCarthy said earlier in a statement issued by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

He added, “There are a lot of positives to look forward to. With the time we’ll have to prepare, I believe this team will be ready, and hopefully, we can bless the country with more victories.”

The Harambee Stars demonstrated renewed tactical discipline, composure, and confidence—qualities that have been lacking in recent outings. McCarthy’s appointment, announced earlier this year, is seen as a fresh start for a team that has struggled with inconsistency and off-field challenges.

With CHAN around the corner and 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming, Friday’s homecoming is more than a celebration; it’s a statement of intent.