After nearly four years in the wilderness, Michael Kibwage is back to where he believes he always belonged, wearing the Harambee Stars jersey.The Tusker FC defend, now more experienced, is returning older, stronger, and with a renewed hunger to finally fulfill the dreams that once felt just out of reach.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsHis 2024/25 FKF Premier League season has been plagued by injuries.On Friday, 9 October 2024, during a friendly match against Kenya Police, the former Sofapaka defender suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for over a month.Former Shabana forward regrets losing Osoro to ZambiaHe returned to action in November, but barely a month later, another injury occurred.In December 2024, Kibwage suffered a painful adductor muscle injury during a league clash against AFC Leopards at Dandora Stadium. A premature attempt to return in January 2025 ahead of a key fixture against Shabana FC backfired when the injury flared up again in training.Doctors ordered strict bed rest for two months, halting his progress at a crucial point in the season. But Kibwage was not ready to let go. With patience, discipline, and support from Tusker’s medical team, Kibwage began the long journey through rehabilitation.He made his return to competitive action on Wednesday, 2 April, featuring in a friendly against Kahawa United, a match Tusker won 4-1.##NAJAVA_MECA_9023474##Despite limited playing time in 2025, his club ultimately finished fourth in the FKF Premier League.For Kibwage, this Harambee Stars recall is a second chance to chase the goals that injuries interrupted.“This call-up has come at the perfect time. It is something I have dreamt of since returning to football and building back my form. I was here before, and now I want to make the most of this chance and cement my place,” he told Mozzart Sport.Still, he admitted this was far from the season he envisioned.“This season did not quite meet my expectations. I had set the bar high after a strong 2023/24 campaign, where I was in top form and very consistent. Unfortunately, injuries disrupted my momentum. Still, I would not say it has been a bad season. I played as many matches as I could in the first leg and worked hard to get back after returning from injury. I feel ready for this assignment,” he averred.VAR technology is coming to Kenya for the first timeWhile watching from the sidelines brought perspective, it also lit a fire within him.“Being sidelined brought a different experience, but I still cannot call it a terrible season. The players who stepped in did well. Maybe I would have made a difference if I were not injured, but not in a huge way,” he continued.Now back in the national fold, Kibwage is under the guidance of newly appointed Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, and he is embracing the challenge with an open mind.“Football does not change much. It is like switching clubs, say, from Gor Mahia to Tusker. The same applies to coaching. If you understand football, you can adapt to any coach’s philosophy. For the coach to include me in the squad means he sees something in me. My job is to prove him right and give it my all,” he promised.##NAJAVA_MECA_9023485##Kenya will begin their CHAN campaign on Sunday, 3 August, with a clash against DR Congo from 1500 hrs.Harambee Stars will thereafter face Angola on Thursday, 7 August. The Angola clash will be the first time in over a decade that Kenya will play under the floodlights on home soil, with kick-off set at 1900.The Benni McCarthy-coached side will then face Morocco on Sunday, 10 August in a highly anticipated clash from 1500 hrs before finishing their group campaign with a match against Zambia on Sunday, 17 August.President Ruto rallies Harambee Stars ahead of CHAN campaign
