Harambee Stars goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo has opened up on his role together with other senior players in the Kenyan camp.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsKenya is preparing a team that will compete in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) set to kick off on Saturday, 2 August. The competition is hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with part of the preparations including back-to-back friendly matches against Chad.The first of the friendlies was played on Saturday, 7 June, ending in a barren draw, while the second one is set for Tuesday, 10 June, with both matches taking place in Marrakech, Morocco.McCarthy remains winless as Harambee Stars are held to dour draw by ChadHarambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy named a 25-man squad that included both experienced and young players for the two friendlies, and Shikalo believes it is the perfect balance.“It is good to have fresh blood, and it will be a mix of energy and experience. We want to try as much as possible to motivate them because we are all Kenyans and we are here to raise the Kenyan flag,” said Shikalo.##NAJAVA_MECA_8969726##The former Tusker FC goalkeeper’s words are in line with coach McCarthy’s take earlier in the week, that the senior players and the current team will form the core of the CHAN team and will also be tasked with mentoring young players who will be called up in subsequent squads.Shikalo, who returned to Bandari for a second stint in the mid-season transfer after leaving FKF Premier League side KCB, said that the team needs more of such encounters as Kenya prepares for two major tournaments, CHAN and AFCON.Free agent Victor Wanyama open to joining former clubWhile the Kenyan government is in a race against time to make the CHAN infrastructure ready for the tournament, coach McCarthy is also in a race against time to constitute a formidable squad that will give a proper representation of the country.
