CHAN: Kamau calls for ‘special preps’ after Kenya landed ‘Group of Death’

Harambee Stars interim assistant coach John Kamau wants the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to organise special mini camps for the team as part of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) preparations.

The coach feels Kenya will have an uphill task in the tournament set for August after being pooled with giants Morocco, Angola, DR Congo and Zambia - but insists early preparations will increase their chances of going all the way.

Speaking to the media after the CHAN draw, Kamau advised in his technical capacity, that about eight sessions a month would sharpen the team and be prime to take on the heavyweights in Pool A.

“We need like…for me if I was to be asked, monthly can we be having like eight training sessions, so if we can be in a position to have that, then I think the preparation will be in place,” said Kamau, who is also Mathare United head coach.

He also hailed the Mapinduzi Cup, adding the playing unit needed to stay close if Kenya is to build an all-conquering side for the delayed championship, which is tailor-made for domestic players.

“I think the warmup was the Mapinduzi Cup, and I think from there, eighty percent of the squad I think we have it in place but we need again to make sure again we get the twenty percent but most importantly is the preparations.”

Stars’ pool has two of the most successful teams in CHAN in Morocco and DR Congo, who both have two titles under their belt and 2012 AFCON winners, the Chipolopolo of Zambia and in-form Angola.

The “group of death” offers a tough assignment for the Stars and will be keen to be in the best of shape in all aspects in order to compete as a unit.

Acknowledging the high profile matches the continental showdown casts, Kamau also believes a revamp in the attacking options of the striking department will need to take place.

Kamau however said they are scouting a pool of about twenty to evaluate which ones need to be taken into the squad.

“Maybe a challenge to the officials, let`s not wait till it`s too late and also don`t give the players or the technical team excuses just put everything in order and we will give a good account of ourselves coz this is a big platform for the players, the technical team to showcase what we have and I think we have what it takes and the most important thing is to prepare.”

The debutant Kenya, will look to home advantage's support in order to be able to compete against the formidable teams they will have to line up against during the tournament.

CAF on Tuesday postponed the tourney until August - just 18 days before the tournament was due to kick off in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The 2024 CHAN was set to take place between 1 and 28 February, with some countries having already announced their squads and begun training camps.