Inside Marvine Nabwire's Plan to Repay Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy's Faith Ahead of CHAN 2024

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Inside Marvine Nabwire's Plan to Repay Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy's Faith Ahead of CHAN 2024

Mark Kinyanjui 16:39 - 20.07.2025

Marvine Nabwire vows to restore faith Benni McCarthy placed in him after handing him late call-up to the Harambee Stars squad for CHAN 2024.

Kenya Police midfielder Marvine Nabwire has expressed his gratitude and determination after receiving a late call-up to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.

Nabwire was drafted into the squad by head coach Benni McCarthy following the release of five players from the initial 30-man provisional squad. 

In a classic turnaround of fate, Nabwire on Tuesday, 15 July, forced Kenya’s head coach Benni McCarthy to reverse his 13-day decision of locking out the midfielder from his provisional squad.

Having initially batted off question marks on his team selection, McCarthy was forced to hit a rare reverse button, calling up Nabwire for the first time since he took over the reins at Harambee Stars.

Behind the call-up was a performance too hard to resist from Nabwire, who turned up for a friendly with Team Sharks Family, and laid an exhibition against McCarthy’s then-provisional squad.

Dream Come True

The former AFC Leopards player said the call-up was a dream realized, revealing he had opted to continue training even after the league season ended in anticipation of such an opportunity.

“It is a privilege. I just want to repay the coach's faith by helping the team produce brilliant results, so it is a matter of working hard,” said Nabwire.

“I feel fantastic. I had not worked with him before this week. It is good for me, and I need to show why he was right to call me up.”

The midfielder also praised McCarthy’s coaching approach and personality, saying his experience at the highest level will be invaluable to the squad.

“He interacts well with people, he’s very humble and very good. Working with him is brilliant because he has coached players more experienced than us—some of whom are our role models. So getting to learn from him is unbelievable.”

Preparations in Full Swing

Harambee Stars are currently preparing for the CECAFA Four Nations Championship, scheduled for July 21 to 27 in Arusha, Tanzania. The mini-tournament will serve as a key part of the team’s build-up to CHAN 2024.

Kenya has been drawn into a challenging Group A at CHAN, alongside Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. All of Harambee Stars’ group matches will be played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

With national pride on the line and the opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd, Nabwire is keen to make the most of his moment.