Harambee Stars' Mohammed Bajaber on How He is Coping With 'Starboy' Pressure Ahead of CHAN 2024

Harambee Stars attacker Mohammed Bajaber.

Harambee Stars' Mohammed Bajaber on How He is Coping With 'Starboy' Pressure Ahead of CHAN 2024

Mark Kinyanjui 10:54 - 18.07.2025

Mohammed Bajaber has become somewhat of a celebrity in recent months, signing autographs and taking selfies with fans numerous times since his sensational Harambee Stars debut against Gambia last March.

Harambee Stars forward Mohammed Bajaber has explained how he has learned to deal with the pressure of being expected to be a match-winner for both club and country since his sensational debut for Kenya against Gambia last March.

Bajaber has enjoyed quite a breakthrough in 2025. After joining Kenya Police from Nairobi City Stars, he hit the ground running by netting six goals from the left wing, which earned him a call-up to the national football team under new coach Benni McCarthy.

Although he had been drafted into the squad earlier in January by Francis Kimanzi, it was in March when his impact was truly felt.

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Coming on as a substitute against Gambia during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers held in Ivory Coast, Bajaber scored a sublime goal after slaloming past two defenders before unleashing a rocket into the top corner.

He then started for the Stars during their 2-1 loss to Gabon four days later at the Nyayo National Stadium. Since then, fans have viewed him as a mercurial talent worthy of all the praise.

You will seldom attend a local league match without seeing him surrounded by fans eager to take a selfie with him.

‘I Have Learned to Deal With It’

Harambee Stars' Mohammed Bajaber on How He is Coping With 'Starboy' Pressure Ahead of CHAN 2024
Harambee Stars and Kenya Police star Mohammed Bajaber. Photos/Kenya Police FC. Harambee Stars and Kenya Police star Mohammed Bajaber. Photos/Kenya Police FC.

Bajaber, who looks up to former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, explained how his life has changed since that debut goal. He spoke to Pulse Sports during a Harambee Stars open media training session at Kasarani last Wednesday.

“It’s been tough, but I’m getting used to it,” said Bajaber. “In football, when you do something well, there’s always the expectation to keep doing it again and again. That pressure comes with success — and you just have to learn to live with it.”

For Bajaber, representing a nation of 52 million people is unlike any other experience — even more meaningful than his time at Police FC, despite recently winning the FKF Premier League title with them.

“It’s definitely a different experience. With the national team, you’re in camp, the intensity is higher, and you’re surrounded by top-quality players. You can really feel the step up.”

Bajaber is now working to improve his fitness as Harambee Stars prepare to travel to Arusha for the upcoming CECAFA Four Nations Tournament, where they will face Uganda, Tanzania, and Congo Brazzaville — a key tune-up ahead of CHAN 2024, set to take place in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam this August.

When asked about his expectations for the tournament, both individually and as a team, Bajaber responded:

“We don’t have any specific expectations. We just want to go as far as possible and, hopefully, win the tournament.”

At Police FC, Bajaber has been a standout performer, helping the club make history under new coach Etienne Ndayiragije, following his transfer from Simba wa Nairobi.

Asked to compare Ndayiragije with national team coach Benni McCarthy, he said:

“It’s hard to say there’s a big difference between Coach Etienne and Coach Benni. They’re both great in their own ways, with different coaching styles. I’ve learned a lot from each of them.”

As he continues to grow into his role for both club and country, all eyes will be on him during the upcoming CECAFA and CHAN tournaments. 

For Kenya, a new star may be emerging — and for Bajaber, the pressure is no longer a burden, but a driving force.