CHAN 2024: Ruto Declares Kenya’s Readiness While Visiting Harambe Stars
Kenya President Dr. William Ruto has urged the Harambee Stars to aspire for the title at home as they get ready for their debut in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The Head of State unexpectedly visited the national team’s training facilities at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani Annex on Wednesday night as they were wrapping up their first week of residential training.
During his visit, President Ruto pledged the government’s complete support to ensure the squad puts out its best effort.
The biennial tournament is being co-hosted by East African neighbors Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
As a nation, we are thrilled to be hosting this competition. For Kenya, we will be creating history,” President Ruto declared.
“I thought we had the capacity and the ability when I decided to have Kenya bid for both CHAN and AFCON.”
“You are going to represent more than 50 million Kenyans, and that is the weight of responsibility on your shoulders,” he continued, speaking to the players.
“I’ve come here to tell you that we will proudly support you to success because we believe in your ability and potential.
“Remember that you have the support of the entire nation.”
“Let it be historic—we have to win if this is our first time hosting it.”
The President also reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to welcome the continent, as the tournament’s opening match is set for less than three weeks from now.
“As a team, we are honored to have you grace us with your presence despite your busy schedule,” said head coach Benni McCarthy, who expressed his gratitude for the visit.
“We pledge to work hard and give it our all in order to produce results.”
The Harambee Stars will intensify their training in the next days as they get ready for a four-nation pre-CHAN competition in Arusha, Tanzania, which will be co-hosted by Congo Brazzaville, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The preparation competition starts on July 21. Coach McCarthy has already scaled back his team and made some changes.
Two strikers, Moses Shummah and Emmanuel Osoro, who signed professional contracts with Zambia’s Power Dynamos, are no longer eligible for CHAN.
To bolster the squad, McCarthy brought in Police FC midfielder Marvin Nabwire and Bandari goalkeeper Byrne Omondi.
Kenya is paired with two-time champions Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia, in a difficult Group A.
