The national football team – Harambee Stars – have officially reported to camp and held their first training session at the Mpesa Foundation Academy.
The session, held on December 28, 2024, marked the beginning of preparations for the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup, scheduled to take place from 3rd to 13th January 2025 in Zanzibar.
Head coach Francis Kimanzi expressed satisfaction with the opening session, and also emphasized on the team’s focus on building a strong foundation for both the Mapinduzi Cup and the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
“Today 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 also 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,” said Kimanzi.
Composition of Kimanzi’s team for Mapinduzi Cup
The 37-man provisional squad, which includes a blend of experienced players and young talent, is undergoing tactical drills and evaluations to ensure all players are ready for the upcoming tournament.
Meanwhile, defender Charles Momanyi emphasised the players’ motivation and the importance of the Mapinduzi Cup in preparing for the upcoming CHAN tournament..
“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,” said Momanyi.
The team is set to continue training at the academy, focusing on refining tactics as well as assessing player readiness ahead of their departure to Zanzibar.
Francis Kimanzi: Interim Harambee Stars Coach Names Squad For The Upcoming Mapinduzi Cup
