Harambee Stars Omitted From CHAN Qualifiers As FIFA Suspension Rages On

• Kenya excluded from Africa Nations Championship qualifiers as the FIFA suspension continues
• Ironically, Zimbabwe who were suspended alongside Kenya have been included in the tournament set aside for local-based players
• The caretaker committee installed by the Kenyan government is still in place. Contract to expire next month

The Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars has been omitted from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) draw. This is not entirely surprising given that Kenya is still suspended by the world governing body for football, FIFA.

The FIFA General Assembly recently ratified Kenya’s suspension due to government interference. Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ambassador Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation headed by Nick Mwendwa. She then instituted a Caretaker committee that has been running football matters in the country.

FIFA has refused to acknowledge the caretaker committee and has demanded that Mwendwa’s team resumes office. The caretaker committee’s tenure is set to end next month with questions still arising on what will follow.

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Surprisingly, however, is the inclusion of Zimbabwe in the CHAN draw. Kenya and Zimbabwe were banned at the same time by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. There has been no communication to this date of whether the Zimbabwe ban has been lifted.

Kenya has never participated in CHAN

CHAN is a tournament which is a preserve for locally-based players. The next edition is set to be held in Algeria between 8th January 2023 to the 31st of the same month and year. Kenya has never made it to any of the six editions that we’ve had so far.

Morocco are the current defending champion having won the 2020 edition that was staged in Cameroon. The North African nation is tied with the Democratic Republic of Congo as the competition's most successful nations with two titles each.

Kenya was however included in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Confederation of African Football assured Kenya that she would be allowed to participate should she sort out her issues in time. Kenya has been pooled alongside 2017 giants Cameroon, South African nation Namibia and neighbours Burundi.

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The national side doesn't have a coach after Engin Firat's two-month contract came to an end in December last year.

The 2023 edition will be held in Ivory Coast. Senegal are the defending champions after an impeccable run this year that saw them win their maiden title. They beat Egypt on post-match penalties. Sports Brief reports on every happening in the run-up to the 2023 event