The Harambee Stars suffered a major blow on Monday as attacking midfielder Mohammed Bajaber was forced to withdraw from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 squad just days before Kenya’s opener against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bajaber’s sudden exit comes after his recent transfer to Tanzanian giants Simba SC rendered him ineligible under the tournament’s strict player eligibility rules.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who had been seen as a key asset for Kenya’s campaign, secured the move abroad only five days before the tournament kicked off.
Coach Benni McCarthy now faces the challenge of reshuffling his squad at the last minute to fill the void left by Bajaber’s departure.
Under CAF regulations, CHAN 2024 is exclusively for players who are active in their domestic leagues. Bajaber’s transfer from Kenya Police FC Kenya Premier League champions last season to Simba SC means he no longer qualifies as a local player and thus cannot participate in the competition.
Bajaber had earned his call-up through standout performances for Kenya Police, quickly becoming one of Kenyan football’s brightest prospects.
In response to his withdrawal, McCarthy has called up Shabana FC midfielder Brian Michira as a replacement.
Bajaber is not the only Kenyan player sidelined from CHAN 2024 due to recent moves abroad. Earlier this month, Emmanuel Osoro and Moses Shummah were also ruled out after transferring to Zambian clubs.
In addition to the domestic league rule, CHAN also imposes an age eligibility bracket, allowing only players aged between 18 and 35 to participate.
This ensures a balance between youthful vigor and seasoned experience on the pitch.
The tournament’s focus on locally-based players aims to give homegrown talent the chance to showcase their skills on a continental stage, a critical step in fostering football development within African nations.
With just five days remaining before Kenya’s first match, Coach McCarthy will be hoping to avoid further disruptions that could undermine the team’s preparations.
Given that squads are limited to 23 players including starters, substitutes, and reserves any additional withdrawals could seriously impact Kenya’s campaign at CHAN 2024.
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