Benni McCarthy reveals why Kenya withdrew from the pre-chan Cecafa tournament

Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy revealed the main reason why the Harambee stars withdrew from the Cecafa pre-chan tournament, which was to be used as curtain breeders before the African Nations Championship (Chan) in 2024 in August.

Despite his arrival in Arusha, Tanzania, the country of the tournament, Kenya withdrew at the eleventh hour, quoting unsuitable conditions for the team’s participation and global preparations before the Chan tournament which they co-organize alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

Despite the withdrawal of Kenya, the Council of the Orientale and African Association of the Central (CECAFA) later confirmed that the tournament will take place as planned with Tanzanie hosts playing against Uganda at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania, Tuesday July 22.

Kenya withdrew for football reasons

Addressing the question for the first time since the arrival of the Tanzanie team, the South African legend said that it had withdrawn from the tournament due to unfavorable conditions and the safety of the players before the Chan tournament.

“Very well to be back, a very good environment, the installation is good, yes. I think Tanzania was just a misfortune, you know, I think we went with good intentions but unfortunately for football reasons, for football decisions, it was not satisfactory,” McCarthy told FlashScore.

“The team and the technical team met, we just said that we are thinking very well of ourselves and that we want to have the best preparations for Chan, we want to prepare for Chan, and if we want to continue in the tournament, it could probably make us lose players because of the injuries, because the conditions were not favorable for us to work.”

McCarthy continued: “We want to keep all of our players in shape, and play the highest and highest level we expect from ourselves, so yes, for these reasons, we estimated that it was probably better for the reason for the safety of players and the well-being of the players, for all the people involved in the Squad, that it was the best to not participate, to come back and to have the best possible training. Death. “

McCarthy said that the return to Kenya was the best possible way to prepare for Chan, which will take place from August 2 to 30.

“So, if we are not properly prepared, then we will have gaps and people will ask questions (on) why – if we have difficulties in group stages, why is it.

“We return to Kenya was the best possible way that gives us the best chance of passing the group phases, even if it is such a difficult and difficult group. We are back here will give us the opportunity.”

“I think where we were supposed to train was really not ideal, and we were going to have seven days there, and having two days of good training sessions, and five days of leave, and hoping that we could return and compete in Chan.

“So, for these reasons, we sat together as a team and we said that if the conditions are not favorable, then we return to Kenya where we have the facilities, and the right training grounds to train and maximize our sessions and our planning so that we can be ready for Chan, so that was the main reason, the reason for football, nothing else.”

The Stars of Harambee, which are attracted to group A – undoubtedly the “group of death” – will face Dr. Congo, Morocco, Zambia and Angola in what promises to be a demanding campaign.