Brian Michira Speaks: Shabana Success, Mo Bajaber Replacement and CHAN 2024 Hopes

When Brian Michira reported for Shabana training on Monday morning with the club continuing on with their pre-season preparations, he would not have envisioned he would be making the Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) squad.

After all, he had not earned a call up since the Mapinduzi Cup ordeal last January, which saw him miss out on the chance to travel to Zanzibar over documentation issues.

Many fans had been left aghast as to why head coach Benni McCarthy had not considered him, considering he enjoyed a fantastic individual season at Shabana which saw him score 12 league goals and contribute to numerous assists as Shabana secured a fifth place finish.

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Furthermore, many insist he should have won the FKF Most Valuable Player award for his contributions this season - although there has yet to be official confirmation by Football Kenya Federation as to whether there will be a 2024/2025 awards gala.

As fate would have it, Mohammed Bajaber was rendered not fit enough to participate in the tournament - at least at group stage level - and also received a mouthwatering offer to move to Tanzanian giants Simba FC.

This meant McCarthy was left with no choice but to draft in Sofapaka’s Edward Omondi ‘Ondimo’, Chrispine Erambo of Tusker and of course, Brian Michira.

McCarthy himself has even challenged him to show why he was wrong to overlook him entirely were it not for the extenuating circumstances.

“I'm happy for the boy. I think as everybody pointed out, he had a good season, but I just felt that the players that I selected were the better options,” McCarthy told the media on Wednesday.

“Then luck works on your side with injuries and medical issues. It opens the door for you. So now it's all down to him to make myself and the other technical members also see what we missed or what we didn't select first hand.

“But yeah, this is his big opportunity now to make the most of it. And I hope for him, for his sake and for all for all his followers that were pushing to get him into the team. He doesn't disappoint them.”

Now Speaking to Pulse Sports from the Police Sacco Stadium on Wednesday, Michira, in his usual stoic demeanor, expressed what returning to the fold means for him.

“It is a great honour. I feel privileged to be playing for the team. I feel good to be in the squad and I hope we can achieve our objectives,” Michira said.

For Michira, the call up had been a long time coming, and it partly inspired his excellent performances on the flanks for Shabana this season.

“It has been amazing. I have been pushing myself a lot. I feel good that my efforts were rewarded and I hope we can bring them here in order to help the league,” the new Harambee Stars number 7 said.

One familiar face Michira will know is Austin ‘Lastborn’ Odongo, a fellow late call up and Shabana teammate, but given the players he will be representing Kenya with are those he has faced numerous times as opponents in the FKFPL this season, he has not found it difficult to adapt.

“They (teammates) received me with open arms. We have played against each other in the league. They received me with open arms and I cannot wait to represent the country.”

Kenya have been placed in what many consider ‘the group of death’ with DR Congo, Angola, Morocco and Zambia their pool A opponents, but Michira remains confident.

“We are also one of the best teams. They have prepared themselves, and so have we. We are going for the points and ultimately the tournament.”

Michira’s ceiling is certainly not Shabana, and he hopes this God-given opportunity is a chance for him to sell himself to overseas clubs, much in the same way as Leicester City’s Patson Daka- himself a CHAN beneficiary having represented Zambia in 2017, as well as Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma with Mali in 2015.

“It is a good platform for us. It will give us a chance to show what we can do. If we do very well, I am very sure that we will earn moves to other countries and no one will remain. This is a life-changing opportunity we cannot afford to let slip up.”

What about his targets for the tournament?

"The important thing here is to do my best, score and assist for the team.”

From missing out on Mapinduzi to leading Harambee Stars’ CHAN charge, Brian Michira’s journey is the story of patience meeting preparation. 

Now armed with form, fire, and faith, he’s not just filling in — he’s out to make a statement. For Michira, this isn't just a second chance. It's the one he’s been waiting for his whole career.