Chan: Mixed reactions as Harambee Stars land in a Group of Death

Salim Mvurya, Sports CS

“For the last few months we have put our best foot forward in terms of accelerating infrastructure in the three nations. However, we welcome Caf’s decision to push the tournament to August. We see this as an opportunity to continuously make sure that we become the centre of excellence in hosting the tournament. We would like to ask everybody including the federations and Local Organising Committees to take the opportunity to make sure that we not only put our best but also win a trophy in these two tournaments. This is also a perfect chance to grow our tourism, and profile our country in terms of trade and investment. “

Hussein Mohammed, FKF president

“The new dates we have been given mean one thing, that we only have a chance to improve on excellence. We were ready, we will even be more ready come August. I’m very excited that the entire football fraternity especially in Africa is keenly following what is happening in the East African region and this will be the best launch pad for 2027 Afcon.”

Moses Magogo, Fufa president

“To bring the whole of Africa to East Africa for the first time is a dream for all of us. We would have been able to start on February 1, but we take the opportunity of the extra six months to be able to organise an event that will be memorable. We believe with a successful Chan, it is automatically going to be a successful 2027 Afcon. From the meeting we had, at least two of the East African teams must be in the semifinals of this competition.”

Wallace Karia, TFF president

“I cannot say that we are not ready. Even if you read the statement from Caf, they said we were ready, but said there are some things we needed to work on to make it more successful. In Tanzania there is a lot of road construction still going on, so you can’t single out one nation for not being ready. For Caf such things look to be a disruption."

Nicholas Musonye, LOC chairman

“Chan is good for the country (Kenya) and the region. I ask every Kenyan to support this event as we aim to make history in August. As much as we are struggling to complete the infrastructure, FKF must get the best coach and the best players and give them enough motivation to do well. If they are eliminated in the first round, they will have killed the competition.”

McDonald Mariga, FKF deputy president

"We are in a Group of death but I believe we still have a big chance because we have done well in the past against Morocco and Angola. Therefore, I think we will be ready before August. We need to capitalise on this postponement and prepare our team well.”

John Kamau, Harambee Stars assistant coach

“Sometimes we have a tendency as Kenyans of thinking that we have a lot of time, but in the real sense if we don’t start early then we will be caught off guard. So, it will be meaningless for the tournament to be pushed to August. If we start preparing like today, then we will have a good team. About 80 % of our local players are ready, but we also need to get the 20%. And to get the 20%, we need to have like eight training sessions monthly.”

James Situma, former Harambee Stars defender

“Nothing else but good preparations, and it starts with the league. We have quality players, but we need to make sure they are in good condition and only select the best. If we get everything right, we can surprise many.”

Hassan Wasswa, former Uganda Cranes midfielder

“It is unfortunate for our brothers Kenya, but I believe in them and I’m confident they will get out of that group. Certainly group A is the group of death. But people are looking away from Uganda’s group because remember there is South Africa and Egypt in the March qualifiers, if at all those two big teams qualify, Uganda will also be in a group of death. In overall, all these East Africa teams need to bring their A game, and if they work hard any of them can get out of the group and even win the tournament. No team is weak. It is about every team believing in themselves, anything is possible and we can brace ourselves for surprises.”

Allan Wanga, former Harambee Stars striker

“The boys are going to prepare psychologically knowing very well they are not in an easy group. This draw will give them motivation to prepare well for the tournament. But I’m not surprised with the draw because as a footballer you always need to be ready for any opponent, and with the extension of the kick off date, we need to be ready. From the Angolan local league, every team and player has passion to play at home and most of them don't even want to go to Europe. As the hosts, we just need to prepare well and I think any team is beatable.  We just need to win our first game then focus on the next.”

Mrisho Ngassa, former Taifa Stars striker  

“It won’t be a walk in the park for all teams, but as hosts we must prepare well and make our East African fans proud. As Tanzania, we believe we will do well because we have a President who loves football and she is a number one Taifa Stars fan. Since we have already had the taste of playing at Afcon finals, we will not let our people down.”

Bien Aime, Kenyan artist

“Chan coming to Kenya is a big thing for us. It will give us a chance to showcase our culture, and I can’t wait for other people to come and experience everything we have.”