Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has distanced the federation from any involvement in the selection of players to the national football team, Harambee Stars.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsSpeaking during a press conference held at a Nairobi hotel ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Hussein was categorical that player selection remains the exclusive mandate of head coach Benni McCarthy and his technical team.“I think one of the key concerns many Kenyans have had over the years is interference in national team selection. I want to reiterate once again that team selection is purely the decision of the coach and his technical bench,” said the FKF president.##NAJAVA_MECA_9012633##“The secretariat of the federation, including myself, has absolutely no say in how players are selected. There is complete separation of powers, and we are keen to maintain that structure. The technical bench has been given full freedom to pick players they want to use in this tournament. It is now up to them to deliver on the pitch,” he added.His remarks come amid growing criticism of the recent squad announcement, which saw some in-form players overlooked, sparking debate among fans and club officials.Shabana FC, one of the FKF Premier League outfits, publicly questioned the exclusion of attacking midfielder Brian Michira from the CHAN squad.According to club official Stephen Kiama, Michira had a standout season, scoring 12 league goals and topping the FKF Cup scoring charts with five goals, despite the Glamour Boys exiting the tournament early.Inside three major match fixing scandals that rocked the 2024–25 FKFPL seasonKiama further accused McCarthy and national technical director Francis Kimanzi of overlooking deserving talent in favor of players with injury concerns or limited recent playing time.Among those in question are Tusker’s Michael Kibwage, Bandari’s Benjamin Nyamawi, and KCB’s Matthew Isogol, all of whom were named in the provisional squad despite ongoing fitness issues.Hussein further acknowledged the concerns raised but reaffirmed the federation’s confidence in the technical team.He also hinted at improved terms for the coaching unit following recent discussions aimed at addressing historical grievances.“We’ve had several meetings with the technical bench to iron out any issues and improve their working conditions. Whatever challenges existed in the past are now behind us,” he said.Harambee Stars rise in latest Fifa rankingThe FKF chief concluded by assuring full backing for the team ahead of their historic CHAN appearance.“We are not taking this lightly. The team goes into camp today, and I can confidently say we have done everything within our power to equip them with all the tools they need to succeed,” Hussein said.Stars will play all their Group A matches at the Kasarani Stadium. Kenya will kick off their campaign against DR Congo at 3:00 pm local time on Sunday, August 3.##NAJAVA_MECA_9010961##They will then face Angola on Tuesday, August 7, under the floodlights.McCarthy’s side will take on Morocco on Sunday, August 10, from 3:00 pm before wrapping up the group stage against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on Sunday, August 17.This year’s tournament marks Kenya’s debut at the African Nations Championship.While the team’s last appearance at a major competition was the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they failed to make it out of the group stage, expectations are high for a deeper run this time, especially with home advantage.
