Harambee Stars' trip to Mauritius aborts
From left: Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat (right) issues instructions as Abdallah Hassan (left) and Captain Michael Olunga look on during their training session at Safaricom M-PESA Foundation in Thika on June 09, 2023 ahead of their upcoming four-nation tournament in Mauritius.
Safaricom Foundation in Thika during a training session on June 9, 2023 ahead of their upcoming four-nation tournament in Mauritius. PHOTO BY WILFRED NYANGARESI/ NATION
What you need to know:
- Nation Sport confirmed from Head of Operations at Kenya Airways Captain Paul Njoroge that there was a flight to Mauritius on Saturday and the plane left Nairobi at noon
- It is not yet clear how Stars squad could have made all the arrangements and announced the travelling date, then say there were no flights
- On Thursday, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba announced a Sh10m grant for Harambee Stars
Kenya’s Harambee Stars Saturday failed to travel to Mauritius for the Four Nation Tournament in unclear circumstances.
The tournament kicks off Suday with hosts Mauritius, Djibouti and Pakistan also participating.
Football Kenya Federation secretary Barry Otieno said in a statement the team had failed to secure a flight to Mauritius and will now travel for the tournament on Monday.
However, the federation had clearly indicated day’s earlier that the team would fly out of JKIA at 4am on Saturday for the Indian Ocean island nation via Johannesburg in South Africa aboard a Kenya Airways plane.
Nation Sport confirmed from Head of Operations at Kenya Airways Captain Paul Njoroge that there was a flight to Mauritius on Saturday and the plane left Nairobi at noon.
It is not yet clear how Stars squad could have made all the arrangements and announced the travelling date, then say there were no flights.
Kenya were scheduled to play their first match on Sunday against African minnows Djibouti.
“The change of itinerary also means that Kenya will now play two matches instead of the planned three due to Fifa regulations on player rest days between matches,” said Otieno in his statement.
On Thursday, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba announced a Sh10m grant for Harambee Stars.
Namwamba, FKF President Nick Mwendwa and CEO Barry Otieno had visited the team during their training session at Nyayo National Stadium.
The team on Friday held its final training session at the Mpesa Foundation Academy in Thika before attending Talanta Hela Launch at State House, Nairobi.
