Kenya national team Harambee Stars lead coach Benni McCarthy has been left scratching his lead yet again after midfielder Mohammed Bajaber left camp just five days before the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) gets underway in East Africa.
The 22-year-old, who was impressive last season helping Kenya Police FC to win their first ever Kenyan Premier League title, is said to have left camp on Monday ahead of the tournament scheduled to kick off on August 2nd.
His departure from camp comes just a few weeks after FKF Premier League top scorer Moses Shumah and runner-up Emmanuel Osoro left Harambee Stars camp to sign for Zambian Premier League champions Power Dynamos.
Shumah, who scored 17 goals while playing for Kakamega Homeboyz and Osoro, who managed 16 goals, signed two-year permanent deals which automatically ruled them out of the CHAN tournament.
By signing for Dynamos, the duo became ineligible for the CHAN which is reserved for players, who contain for their clubs in respective local leagues.
Bajaber leaves camp for TanzaniaA source within Harambee Stars, who did not want to be named, confirmed exclusively to Betopick that Bajaber possessed been permitted to leave camp to sign for a club in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League.
The source further confirmed that Simba SC was the most likely destination for Bajaber, who motivated for Kenya during their friendly matches against Chad in Morocco.
The friendlies played in the last transfer window saw Bajaber produce a superb show in the midfield as Kenya sketched the first game 0-0 and pursued it up with a 2-1 victory, which was the first and only win under coach McCarthy's reign.
"It is unfortunate that Bajaber will not be part of the Kenya squad for CHAN, he left camp on Monday and is currently in Tanzania negotiating for a manage to sign for Simba," the source, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, told Betopick on Monday, July 28th.
"From my understanding, he was given the green light to leave camp by the coach, who does not want to stand in the way of any player seeking to play outside Kenya.
"Bajaber was part of his plans but when the player came up with the manage, he sensed that it was good to let him move.
"When requested why Bajaber could not have waited for CHAN to conclude before going for the manage or signing a pre-contract with the interested club, the source said: "No club can wait to sign a player with CHAN set to have many scouts, both local and foreign, meaning the value of Bajaber could move up.
So, it is better to sign up the player now, instead of waiting for the CHAN to conclude.
"Harambee Stars will play their Group A matches at Kasarani Stadium.
They have been drawn alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.
Kenya will play their opening fixture at 15:00 local time against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After opening against DR Congo, Kenya’s second fixture will be against Angola on Tuesday, August 7th, before they confront Morocco on Sunday, August 10th and wind up their group fixtures against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on Sunday, August 17th.
This will mark Kenya’s debut in the CHAN tournament.
While the country last contained in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, where the team exited at the group stage, this time Harambee Stars will be eager to make a deeper run, especially with the added motivation of playing on home soil.
The tournament will run from August 2 to August 30, 2025, and promises to be a thrilling celebration of local football talent across East Africa.
Dennis MabukaBetopick News
The Ultimate Guide to Winning Football Predictions with Betopick
Top 5 Best Football Prediction Sites for Winning
The Role of Data Analytics in Enhancing Football Betting Predictions
Three Things You Should Look Into Every Time You Place a Football Bet
Why 1win Stands Out as the Best Crypto Casino Right Now
FIFA president Infantino says Club World Cup is 'world's most successful competition'