NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s hopes for a strong showing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) have been dealt a significant blow following the abrupt departure of star attacking midfielder Mohammed Bajaber to Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
Bajaber, widely regarded as the creative engine of the Harambee Stars midfield, completed a high-profile move just five days before Kenya’s crucial opening Group A match against two-time champions DR Congo on August 3. The Football Kenya Federation confirmed the Police FC playmaker has signed a two-year deal with the Tanzanian Premier League champions and will immediately join their pre-season camp in Egypt.
Coaching Staff Scramble for Replacement.
The national team’s technical bench, led by head coach Benni McCarthy, reacted swiftly to the setback, handing a late-night call-up to attacking midfielder Brian Michira on Sunday. Michira now faces the daunting task of filling the void left by Bajaber, whose vision and playmaking were central to Kenya Police FC’s historic FKF Premier League title triumph last season.
Bajaber’s exit compounds existing uncertainty in the Kenyan camp. McCarthy had recently defended his inclusion despite fitness concerns, telling reporters: “He’s been training individually and was nearing full match sharpness.” The South African coach must now urgently reconfigure his tactical setup.
Deepening Crisis for Harambee Stars.
This departure marks the third exit of a key player from the CHAN squad in recent weeks. Forwards Emmanuel Osoro and Moses Shummah previously left camp after securing moves to Zambian Premier League sides.
Further clouding the preparation picture is the presence of Sofapaka winger Edward Omondi and Tusker midfielder Erick Otieno in training, despite neither being named in the original squad announcement. These unexpected appearances have added to the sense of flux surrounding the team.
Tournament Hopes Under Shadow.
The late roster upheaval has sparked serious concerns about team cohesion and readiness for the tournament. Kenya faces a formidable Group A challenge, with matches against football powerhouses Morocco, Angola, Zambia, and the opening clash with DR Congo.
Bajaber’s importance to the national setup was highlighted by his impactful international debut, where he scored in a World Cup qualifier against The Gambia last March. His absence leaves a significant creative gap as Kenya seeks to make an impact on home soil in the CHAN tournament, which kicks off this week amidst growing apprehension about the team’s stability.
