The Harambee Stars are set to face Chad in an international friendly match on June 7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco. This game presents a valuable opportunity for Kenya’s head coach Benni McCarthy to evaluate his squad ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for August 2025, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Coach McCarthy has assembled a 25-man squad for the friendlies against Chad. He is focusing on building match fitness, sharpening tactics, and strengthening team cohesion. The matches are crucial for McCarthy to test new players and assess how they fit into the team dynamic. McCarthy emphasised the importance of having a strong, experienced team that can also mentor younger players.
The Harambee Stars will miss the presence of veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama. He withdrew due to personal family matters. McCarthy expressed respect for Wanyama, highlighting his contributions to Kenyan football alongside icons like Michael Olunga and Macdonald Mariga. Wanyama’s absence has opened the door for Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo to the squad.
Kenya’s recent form shows mixed results. Including a 1-2 loss to Gabon and a 3-3 draw with Gambia in World Cup qualifiers. But also solid wins against Tanzania and Zimbabwe in friendlies. This indicates that the team has potential but still needs refinement and consistency.
The friendly against Chad, a team that has struggled in recent qualifiers, should be competitive. Nevertheless, it offers Kenya a good chance to secure a positive result while experimenting with squad options. McCarthy’s approach is pragmatic. He wants to avoid merely participating in CHAN and losing games, aiming instead to build a competitive side capable of progressing in the tournament.