CHAN preparations on McCarthy's mind as Stars camp begins

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will be gauging the quality of local-based players this week as he begins life as first-team coach.

Former Manchester United assistant coach McCarthy, who has taken over the reins at the national team on a three-year deal, on Wednesday named a provisional 48-man squad to prepare for twin contests with Gambia and Gabon next week in World Cup qualifiers this month.

Some of the 48 players called up, with the exception of Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and players based overseas, arrived in camp yesterday and McCarthy is looking forward to seeing what they have to offer as he also looks forward to Kenya's participation in the continental CHAN tournament in August.

" This will be my first camp with local-based players to assess the quality for the upcoming CHAN and identify potential additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon,” he told the Football Kenya Federation media team.

Kenya will host the 2025 edition of the CHAN competition together with Uganda and Tanzania from 2nd to 30th August. CHAN is a continental showpiece that pits players who ply their trade in African football against each other.

It will be Kenya's first appearance at the tournament.

CHAN notwithstanding, focus for the national team in the immediate future will be to take on Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast.

Following their match against the Gambia, the Stars will return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23.

Harambee Stars are currently placed 4th in group F with 5 points. Ivory Coast are top with 10. Gabon and Burundi have 9 and 7 points respectively.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the Americas with the US, Canada and Mexico the triple hosts.