Harambee Stars Assistant Gives Local-Based Players Tips to Make Benni McCarthy's Final CHAN 2024 Squad

Boniface Muchiri and Brian Mandela during a recent Harambee Stars training session. Photo || FKF

Harambee Stars Assistant Gives Local-Based Players Tips to Make Benni McCarthy's Final CHAN 2024 Squad

Mark Kinyanjui 12:30 - 06.06.2025

Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony 'Modo' Kimani has sent an inspirational message to local based players who were overlooked for the side's two friendly games agaisnt Chad in Morocco ahead of the upcoming 2024 CHAN.

Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani has urged aspiring national team footballers to continue showcasing their talent throughout the remainder of the season if they hope to catch head coach Benni McCarthy’s eye ahead of the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Modo, who took up the assistant coaching role in April after a stint as Kenya Police head coach, was speaking from the national team’s training base in Morocco, where the squad is intensifying preparations for two back-to-back friendly matches against Chad.

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Focus on Local-Based Talent for CHAN

Mohammed Bajaber Net Worth: Name, Age, Origin, Club Career, Harambee Stars, How Rich is He in 2025 Mohammed Bajaber is among the local-based players that will be expected to make the CHAN 2024 squad. Image || FILE

Coach McCarthy selected a squad that mainly features local-based players, as he builds a team for CHAN 2024, which Kenya will co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Speaking to FKF media, Modo lauded the positive atmosphere in the camp, revealing that the players' competitiveness has given the technical team a welcome selection dilemma.

“The mood of the camp is great and every player selected is doing his best. They are giving us a good headache as a technical bench on who to select and who to start the match against Chad,” said Modo.

“Everybody is raring to go and everyone is showing the coach that they want to represent us come the 7th against Chad, so it is a good headache for us as the technical bench.”

McCarthy selected 23 players for the friendlies. Of these, only four ply their trade abroad: Brian Bwire (Polokwane United), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch FC), Adam Wilson (TNS – on loan from Bradford City), and William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners).

Door Still Open for More Call-Ups

Modo insists the current local-based group represents the best available options but emphasized that the door remains open for more players to stake their claim.

“We have selected the very best at the moment and as the coach said, there is more room for players to come on board. The ones selected have a good opportunity to show the coach what they have got so they can be part of the team going forward.

“That does not shut the door which is revolving. Any player doing well out there will catch the eye of the coach going forward.

“They have always pushed and supported the team. The players and technical team are doing their best to make sure we produce good results.”

Modo’s Coaching Journey

Bandari head coach Anthony Modo Kimani on the touchline.
Photo Credit: Goal.com Photo Credit: Goal.com

The 41-year-old began his coaching journey at AFC Leopards as a second assistant coach after a long playing career with Mathare United and Ingwe. He later served as interim head coach at Leopards before moving to Bandari FC, where he held assistant and head coach roles.

He was dismissed from Bandari in May 2023 and joined Ulinzi Stars for the 2023/24 season. After guiding the team to 12th place and steering them away from relegation danger, Kimani was let go. He then had a brief stint with Kenya Police FC before accepting the Harambee Stars assistant role following McCarthy’s appointment.

Kimani earned 19 caps for Harambee Stars during his playing days.

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