Former AFC Leopards and Bandari FC head coach Andre Casa Mbungo is of the opinion that host nations should take part in the 2025 African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers.The Mbungo statement comes after Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat raised concerns over the hosts participating in qualifiers.Firat is on record expressing dissatisfaction with the decision to have host nations play the qualifiers as they already have the tournament’s ticket in their pockets.##NAJAVA_MECA_8415879##The Turkish Cypriot argued that the qualifiers would disrupt the flow of the domestic league, affect the local players who are in plans for the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers as well as be expensive.However, Mbungo is of the opinion that the qualifiers will help coaches gauge their players and work on strengths and weaknesses before the tournament”I think coaches should be happy that they will have more time with their players. The qualifiers will be like test matches for them. Playing the qualifiers will help them spot the weaknesses on time, ” he explained.The much-awaited eighth edition of the tournament, which brings together players from domestic leagues will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in February next year.Former AFC Leopards coach eyeing South Sudanese league title with Jamus19 countries will be vying for top honours, including increased prize money in what will be the tournament’s first-ever edition to be hosted by three countries.Kenya is set to face South Sudan in the qualifiers and the former AS Kigali of Rwanda gaffer has warned Stars against underrating their opponents.Mbungo who is currently attached to South Sudanese side Jamus says Kenya should prepare for a tough encounter despite other factors favoring them.##NAJAVA_MECA_8415844##The first leg will be held on the weekend of Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October in Juba with the return leg being played a week later. It remains to be seen where Kenya will host the game.Should Kenya eliminate South Sudan, they will set up a date with the winner between Rwanda and Djibouti.Kenyan coach targeting third title in South Sudan after clinching Super Cup last weekendMbungo, who has had the benefit of coaching in Rwanda and South Sudan says the quality of players in the two countries is good enough to cause trouble for Kenya.”The countries that will play Kenya in the qualifiers know that a loss will deny them a ticket to the finals. This means they will do everything possible to beat Kenya. Rwanda and South Sudan have good players who have gained experience through playing different qualifiers with their national teams. Much as Kenya has good players as well, the qualifiers will not be one-sided,” Mbungo told Sportsboom
