Exclusive: Kenya is failure to have decided to skip the pre-chan Cecafa tournament

The stars of the Kenya national team, Harambee, were reproduced for their decision to withdraw from the pre-chan tournament of Cecafa which was to be used as a curain before the African African Nations Championship in 2024 in August.

Although it arrived in Arusha, Tanzania, the country of the tournament, Kenya withdrew at the eleventh hour, citing unsuitable conditions for the participation of the team and the overall 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 the hosts that Tanzania will take place in Uganda at the Black Rhino Academy Stadium in Karatu, Tanzania, Tuesday July 22.

“It is regrettable that Kenya has decided to withdraw after the team even arrived in Karatu. But we will go ahead and have matches between the three teams because we think it will give our teams a good platform to test themselves before Chan “, said Auka Gecheo, CEO Director of CECAFA.

The second match in the competition will see Uganda face Senegal on July 24, while the last match between Tanzania and Senegal will take place on July 27.

The withdrawal of Kenya a blow to mental preparation

According to the holding of the Premier League of the Kenya Football Federation (FKF), Gor Mahia, vice-president Sally Bolo, the withdrawal of Kenya will attenuate the mental preparation of the team and kill the spirit of the fans, who began to believe.

“Jumping this tournament may have brought a blow to the mental preparation of our Chan team and attenuated the spirit of the fans who began to believe. It was more than a accumulation; it was a declaration of intention, and unfortunately, we missed it,” Bolo said Flashscore.

“Despite the sports logistics setbacks in Arusha, the technical bench of Harambee stars should have seen the situation as a whole and remained for allrnament. It was not only another friendly competition; It was a gold opportunity. »»

Bolo continued: “After assembling a fresh team team after the season and spent days in the camp, this tournament was a perfect platform to assess fitness levels, experiment with tactics and build cohesion in front of Chan. Singering it cost us more than simple games; He disturbed the momentum, a broken morale and sent the bad message.

“In modern football, 80% of the game is won in the field. Travel, logistics, communication and mental packaging, this is where the victories are shaped. The Federation must now embrace global practices in the management of sports and events. Preparation of national teams is not a question of talent; These are structure, psychology and professional execution. ”

The tournament, which will have Senegal, could have offered the coach of Harambee stars, Benni McCarthy, an excellent opportunity to assess the preparation of his team before the Chan tournament.

CAF unveils the “Pamoja” campaign and the official poster

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially launched the CHAN campaign, revealing the poster and the official theme of the tournament under the “Pamoja” banner.

According to the African body, the heart of the campaign is the word “Pamoja”, a Swahili term meaning “unity”. More than a simple slogan, “Pamoja” embodies the spirit of unity, harmony and shared ambition. It reflects the collective force of African communities and the values that football gives life, teamwork, collaboration and solidarity.

The official poster, revealed on digital platforms and CAF dissemination partners, visually sums up the dynamism of African football and the unique cultural heritage of host nations. Designed with daring and energetic patterns, the poster has eastern benchmarks and symbolic elements that resonate with the values of “Pamoja”.

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.