Harambee Stars Captain Aboud Omar has promised the country a positive result ahead of Kenya’s highly anticipated 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).
Kenya is set to kick off their CHAN campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Moi International Centre, Kasarani, in a game whose tickets sold out in record time.
Ahead of the match, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba had a last-minute video call with the Harambee Stars Captain to give his message of goodwill ahead of the cracker.
While appreciating the former Sports CS for his contribution to the sports docket during his time as CS, Omar boldly vowed that the Harambee Stars would record a positive result in their opening game.
“I am promising you that you will be elated. By 6pm today. That is my promise from me and the boys,” the captain said.
While acknowledging the team’s preparedness, Omar, who plies his club trade with Kenya Police FC, revealed the team had learnt from past mistakes in previous competitions and would approach CHAN 2024 with a different mentality.
He added, “For this one, there is no pressure. We know what we are here to do, and we are adequately prepared for this tournament.”
Stakes are high for Kenya, which is co-hosting the postponed tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda. On Saturday, August 2, Tanzania made a statement by seeing off Burkina Faso 2-0 in their opener at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in a result that subtly piled more pressure on Kenya.
Despite getting ousted from the Sports docket in December 2024, Namwamba has maintained interest in Harambee Stars activities and is often spotted showing support via his social media pages. The former CS was, in December 2024, handed a new role as Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars have been handed several incentives to motivate them to give their all at the championships.
Abud Omar and his squad were promised a whopping Ksh600 million by President William Ruto if they somehow overcame the odds and win the tournament, which features 19 teams.
Each player will also be feted with Ksh1 million each for every match in their group in that they secure a victory in. The reward will be slashed in half (to Ksh500,000) if the Stars manage a draw.
After the DRC game, Kenya will come up against Angola on August 7, before a crunch match against African giants Morocco three days later, on August 10.
