Mapinduzi Cup: Millions Harambee Stars will miss after failing to secure final slot

Mapinduzi Cup: Millions Harambee Stars will miss after failing to secure final slot

Joel Omotto 19:56 - 12.01.2025

Harambee Stars’ failure to make it to the Mapinduzi Cup final will not only see them lose out on a chance to win the trophy but there is also a big cash reward that they missed out on.

Harambee Stars’ failure to qualify for the Mapinduzi Cup final has cost them over Ksh6 million besides the bragging rights that would have come with lifting the trophy.

Kenya were among the four nations that took part in the tournament, joining hosts Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro Stars (Tanzania Mainland) and Burkina Faso. They started with a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso before a 2-0 win over Kilimanjaro Stars and needed a draw against Zanzibar to make it to the final.

However, in an ill-tempered match, Harambee Stars failed to clinch their ticket following a 1-0 loss to the hosts in time added on.

The match made headlines for all the wrong reasons as Aboud Omar, who was sent off, had an altercation with the referee, leading to a blow from the match official, in what was a dramatic turn of events.

Zanzibar will now face Burkina Faso in the final on Monday and the two teams will be contesting for Ksh6.2 million that will go to the winners besides the trophy while the losers will take home the consolation prize of Ksh4.3 million.

Harambee Stars will have to watch from home as the two teams square it off but the three matches they played should have given interim coach Francis Kimanzi an idea about his players ahead of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1.

Kimanzi emphasised the importance of building string characters in the squad for the CHAN tournament and there was plenty on show from his team which will have a bearing on his selection.