Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, has officially begun its residential training camp in Nairobi ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off on August 2, 2025.
The tournament — hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — marks Kenya’s return to hosting a continental football event after three decades, and the Harambee Stars will be looking to make an impression on home soil.
25 Players Called Up
Head coach Benni McCarthy, who was appointed earlier this year, has named a provisional squad of 28 locally based players to prepare for the competition. The squad blends youth and experience, drawing from top performers in the FKF Premier League and promising talents from the National Super League.
Key inclusions in the squad are Byrne Omondi, the commanding goalkeeper from Gor Mahia, and midfield workhorse Marvin Nabwire, whose recent performances with AFC Leopards have caught the attention of national selectors. Other notable call-ups include Tusker FC’s Eric Zakayo, KCB defender Brian Ochieng, and Bandari’s rising striker Chrispinus Onyango.
Here’s the 25-man squad called up for the Harambee Stars camp;
The squad is expected to be trimmed to 23 players before the start of the tournament.
Local Camp, Then Tanzania
The players reported to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where they will train for a week before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the CECAFA Four Nations Cup — a regional warm-up competition involving hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The tournament will allow the technical bench to test tactics, combinations, and match fitness ahead of CHAN’s Group A opener.
Coach McCarthy, assisted by team captain Michael Olunga, emphasized the importance of building team chemistry and mental readiness.
“This is more than just preparation — it’s a national mission,” McCarthy said during a media briefing. “The boys are hungry. We want to compete, not just participate.”
Kenya’s Group A Fixtures
Kenya is drawn in Group A alongside Namibia, Libya, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). All group matches will be played at the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium, which has undergone major renovations ahead of the tournament.
The Harambee Stars will open their campaign on August 2 against Namibia, followed by a clash with Libya on August 6, and wrap up the group stage against DRC on August 10.
CHAN Rules and Local Focus
CHAN is unique in that it features only players who are actively involved in their country’s domestic leagues. This offers a rare spotlight for local talent to showcase their abilities at a continental level and potentially earn international moves.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa expressed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We have talent. We have home advantage. And now, we have the opportunity to prove ourselves to Africa,” Mwendwa said.
Fan Support and Match Tickets
Kenyans are being urged to support the national team by turning out in large numbers. Match tickets are already on sale at chan.mookh.com, priced at KSh 200 for regular, KSh 500 for VIP, and KSh 1,000 for VVIP. Organizers have promised a vibrant fan experience, complete with shuttle services, enhanced security, and pre-match entertainment.
As the countdown to CHAN 2025 continues, all eyes will be on this group of local heroes to carry the nation’s hopes — not just for glory, but for pride, unity, and a celebration of Kenyan football.
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