Kenya Police FC defender Abud Omar has been named captain of the Harambee Stars for the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, set to take place in Zanzibar.Abud, the longest-serving player in the national team for the tournament, has been a vital presence in the squad over the years and expressed his pride at assuming the leadership role.##NAJAVA_MECA_8605354##“It’s a great privilege and honour to be appointed captain. Having been part of the national team for so long, I fully understand the responsibility that comes with this role. Winning the Mapinduzi Cup is the bare minimum for us. I will push the team to give their best, but most importantly, I’ll lead by example as an experienced player,” Abud told FKF Media.Addressing the team’s preparations, the new captain exuded confidence in the squad’s readiness, highlighting the team’s strong blend of youth and experience.##NAJAVA_MECA_8606325##“We’ve prepared well, and the team is in great shape. We have a good balance of seasoned players and young talents who have shown great promise throughout the camp. We’re not underdogs—we are here to win. Anything less than lifting the Mapinduzi Cup would be considered a failure,” he emphasized.AFC Leopards reveals mid-season transfer strategyAbud also touched on the challenges Harambee Stars have faced in recent years, particularly the lack of home support due to playing most of their matches away.“It’s been tough for the national team without our fans supporting us at home, but I urge them to keep standing by us. We’re building a strong team for the CHAN tournament, and we can’t wait to play in front of our home supporters again,” he added.On a personal note, he shared his excitement about re-establishing himself in the national team and reiterated his aspirations of moving back to Europe. After spending five years playing in Greece, Belgium, and Romania, he returned to Kenya to join Kenya Police FC and is eager for another opportunity abroad.STARS ABROAD: Masoud Juma on target in Iran as Richard Odada, Jonah Ayunga feature in Scotland“I feel stronger and more prepared than ever. If I continue working hard, I’m confident that I’ll get another chance to play for a bigger club abroad. That has always been my dream, and it remains so,” he concluded.Kenya will kick off their Mapinduzi Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday evening, followed by a match against Kilimanjaro Heroes on Tuesday, before rounding off the group stage with a clash against Zanzibar Heroes on Friday night.How Benni McCarthy’s expected appointment is a blessing to Harambee Stars
