Harambee Stars have suffered a major setback just days before kicking off their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign following the sudden departure of key forward Mohammed Bajaber from camp.
The team’s preparations have been dealt another blow after Bajaber left to finalise a dream move to Tanzanian Premier League side Simba SC. His exit compounds the problems for coach Benni McCarthy, who has already seen other vital players leave the squad recently.
Earlier this month, strikers Emmanuel Osoro and Moses Shumah completed moves to Zambian outfit Power Dynamos, depleting McCarthy’s attacking options. The latest loss of Bajaber leaves the Harambee Stars without one of their most creative and potent attacking outlets ahead of a crucial opener against DR Congo.
Bajaber was absent from training on Monday, having left the camp over the weekend to complete his switch to Simba SC. The Tanzanian giants beat local rivals Azam FC to secure the services of the talented playmaker. The move is considered a major personal milestone for the player, who has been on the radar of several clubs following his impressive rise in the domestic league.
Bajaber’s development has been rapid. After joining Kenya Police from Nairobi City Stars in January, the attacking midfielder quickly became a standout performer. His flair, vision, and ability to find the back of the net made him a key figure in the national team setup for CHAN, a tournament restricted to players featuring in their local leagues.
There had been injury concerns surrounding Bajaber, especially after he missed recent friendlies against Chad and some of Kenya Police’s closing fixtures of the league season. Nevertheless, he was expected to recover in time for CHAN, making his exit an even bigger blow.
To plug the gap, McCarthy has turned to Shabana FC’s Brian Michira, who now shoulders the responsibility of injecting creativity into Kenya’s midfield. Michira will be tasked with quickly integrating into the squad and stepping up to the challenge as Kenya aims for a strong showing in the tournament.
The departure of Bajaber marks a significant turning point for both player and team a move up for him but a challenge for a national side chasing CHAN glory.
