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The Nairobian

Harambee Stars begin preparations for Mapinduzi Cup

Football

By Washington Onyango | Dec 31, 2024

**Harambee Stars players during a training session.** [FKF Media]

Harambee Stars have officially kicked off their preparations for the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup with their first training session at the Mpesa Foundation Academy.

The tournament, set to take place in Zanzibar from January 3 to January 13, 2025, will provide the team a crucial platform to build momentum ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Head coach Francis Kimanzi expressed satisfaction with the opening session, emphasizing the importance of laying a solid foundation for the team's performance in both the Mapinduzi Cup and CHAN.

“Today was our first session with quite a large squad. The goal is to test all the players, and we managed to do that while introducing some tactics. Everyone will get a chance to show what they can do as we start building the team. While the focus is on the Mapinduzi Cup, the ultimate goal is to prepare a strong squad for CHAN,” said Kimanzi.

The 37-man provisional squad, which comprises a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging young talents, is undergoing intensive tactical drills and evaluations during the camp. The players are keen to showcase their abilities, with the competitive atmosphere reflecting the team’s high motivation levels.

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Defender Charles Momanyi underlined the significance of the Mapinduzi Cup as a stepping stone for CHAN preparations, highlighting the determination within the squad.

“We had a great first training session, and the players are highly motivated. With such a large squad, everyone is eager to prove themselves. The Mapinduzi Cup is crucial in our preparation for CHAN, making this tournament very important for us,” said Momanyi.

The team will remain at the Mpesa Foundation Academy in the coming days to refine their tactics and assess player readiness before their departure to Zanzibar. The Mapinduzi Cup is expected to provide a competitive environment for the Stars to gel and sharpen their strategies ahead of a busy 2025 football calendar.

As preparations continue, Harambee Stars fans will be eagerly watching the team's progress, hopeful that the combination of experience and fresh talent can deliver strong performances in the upcoming tournaments.