Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will be forced to reshuffle his African
Nations Championship (CHAN) frontline after winger Mohammed Bajaber left the
Kenyan camp to join Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
Bajaber’s departure is a major setback for
McCarthy, who is already without 2024/2025 KPL top scorers Moses Shumma and
Emmanuel Osoro.
The duo signed for Zambian giants Power Dynamos earlier this month.
Shumma, formerly of Kakamega Homeboyz, netted 17
goals last season, while Osoro, who played for relegated Talanta FC, scored 16.
Both were expected to play key roles in Kenya’s CHAN campaign.
Bajaber, 22, had joined Kenya Police FC from
relegated Nairobi City Stars in January 2025 for Sh1 million and helped the
club win its maiden KPL title.
A former Starfield Academy player, he
had been on Simba’s radar since last month.
Both parties are believed to have reached an agreement following
negotiations.
The skilful winger, who trained alone last
week due to a minor injury, is reported to have signed a two-year deal and will
join “Wekundu wa Msimbazi” for their pre-season training camp in Cairo, Egypt.
In response, McCarthy has recalled Sofapaka
winger Edward 'Ondimo' Omondi, just a day after Shabana forward Brian Michira
was also drafted into the squad.
With Bajaber, Shumma, and Osoro all ineligible
for CHAN—since the tournament only allows locally-based players—McCarthy will
rely on experienced forwards Masud Juma, Felix Oluoch, Ryan Ogam, David Sakwa,
Boniface Muchiri, Austin Odongo, Ondimo, and Michira to lead the attack.
Meanwhile, Tusker midfielder Chrispine Erambo,
who also received a late call-up, trained with the team yesterday at Kasarani
Stadium.
Erambo was included after Kenya Police duo Marvin Nabwire and Brian Musa
sustained injuries during Saturday’s 4-0 behind-closed-doors win over their
parent club.
Harambee Stars will kick off their CHAN
campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at Kasarani Stadium, followed by matches
against Angola on August 7 and Morocco on August 10.
They will then take a one-week break before wrapping up their Group A
fixtures against Zambia on August 17.
