Why we decided not to play Four Nations tournament in Tanzania - Benni McCarthy

The Kenyan football scene is never short of drama.

Just when we thought the mood was set and the country ready to host a wonderful African Nations Championship 2024 (CHAN), recent theatrics surrounding the men’s national football team, Harambee Stars, are hard to ignore.

CHAN 2024 is scheduled to kick off on August 2, with Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium the venues set to host some of the matches, including the final.

From an infrastructural point of view, we seem ready. Recent spot checks and inspections from local and CAF officials have signalled zero instances of doubt, with Kenya having committed a substantial amount to hastily get the venues ready for the tournament.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) then organised for the team to take a plane, hoping to participate in the CECAFA Four Nations tournament in Tanzania, as preparation for CHAN.

The squad arrived in Arusha on Saturday and was set to begin their campaign against the hosts Tanzania on Monday. However, shocking news came out on kickoff day that Kenya had decided to withdraw from the tournament.

After assessing the venue and conditions at the Karatu Stadium, FKF in a statement said the team opted to return after deeming the conditions “unsuitable” for overall preparation.

Stars, who were also scheduled to face Uganda and reigning CHAN champions Senegal in other matches, had no choice but  to come back to Nairobi on Sunday night, but this time, by road, on a bus.

 “This decision has been made following recommendations and advice from the team’s technical bench, led by Head Coach Benni McCarthy, after a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions, which were deemed unsuitable for the team’s participation and overall preparation,” FKF said in a statement.

This has raised eyebrows and questions among football faithful in Kenya on FKF’s state of preparedness. Why use taxpayer money to travel to Arusha just to cancel taking part in the tournament, when an advance team could have been sent to conduct reconnaissance beforehand?

CECAFA were disappointed at Kenya’s withdrawal decision, terming it unfair, but promised to continue with the remaining three teams; Uganda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Head coach Benni McCarthy clarified the whole issue, outlining that they felt they wanted to work in an environment where all players were safe, fit and play at their best level, and Arusha did not provide this.

“It was a misfortune. We went there with good intentions but unfortunately, for football reasons, football decisions, it was not satisfactory. The team and the technical team came together and decided we want to have the best preparation for CHAN 2024 and if we were to continue in the tournament, it would have set us back majorly losing players to injury,” he explained.

According to reports, the team used the fleet of vans that had been used to transport them to northern Tanzania to come back home.

“Where we were meant to train was not ideal. The conditions were just not favourable for us. We felt it was best for safety reasons and the players’ wellbeing not to participate and to come back and have the last bit of camp training left here in Nairobi, where we have the right facilities and conditions to train” he added.

The South African insisted that the team did not want to give any excuses for bad performances during CHAN and poor preparation would have cost them in the long run.

“We are in the group of death. If we are not properly prepared, we are going to have shortcomings and people will ask questions. Us coming back gives us the best chance of going through the group stages,” he said.

The former Porto man however, feels confident about the team’s mentality and chances of success, pointing out a certain unity he has observed in the squad. He added that the team took the decision to leave Tanzania together after coming to a consensus that the venue was not ideal.

“I saw something here that I usually see in Europe. Team unity, spirit and togetherness. For you as a team to come together and agree this is not what you signed up for, and know that you deserve better. They came to speak with me and they made the decision together. The way they have each other’s back is second to none,” said McCarthy.

Gor Mahia defender Alphonse Omija said the unconventional exit from the tournament did not affect players that much. He echoed McCarthy’s sentiments, indicating that the team’s treatment in Arusha was not up to standard.

“Even if we play in the local leagues, we are still professionals. When we go out, we want to be treated the way they treat host team players, “said Omija.

Kenyans waited on Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Salim Mvurya to address the issue when he responded to questions on Wednesday morning in the Senate, but he only spoke on the African Cup of Nations, promising that venues earmarked to host AFCON 2027 would to be completed between December this year and June 2026. He also revealed that the Talanta Stadium project is 45% complete.

UTILITIES: List of African Nations Championship winners, stadia and cities for final

2009 – DR Congo – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium (Abidjan)

2011 – Tunisia – Al-Merrik Stadium (Sudan)

2014 – Libya – Cape Town Stadium (South Africa)

2016 – DR Congo - Amahoro Stadium (Kigali)

2018 – Morocco – Stade Mohhamed V (Casablanca)

2020 – Morocco – Ahmadou Ahiddjo Stadium (Cameroon)

2022 – Senegal – Nelson Mandela Stadium (Algeria)