Kenya's national football team, Harambee Stars, is facing a dual crisis. Coach Benni McCarthy revealed that he and his foreign coaching staff have been operating without formal Kenyan work permits for over a year. This administrative failure forces McCarthy and his team to leave Kenya immediately after every national team camp and match. The situation has thrown the team's long-term planning into uncertainty ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign.
Under Kenyan immigration law, foreign workers, including elite sports coaches, must secure a Class D work permit through a sponsoring sports federation or club. However, the delay in obtaining these permits has severely disrupted the coaching staff's day-to-day operations. McCarthy explained that ongoing immigration hurdles prevent his staff from staying in the country between assignments. This has significant implications for the team's preparation and performance.
The permit issues are part of a growing storm within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). Tensions boiled over in Nairobi when Harambee Stars players and technical staff staged a boycott, refusing to take the training pitch due to unpaid allowances, poor accommodation, and broader welfare negligence. The boycott highlights the deeper issues within the team and the need for urgent resolution.
Some squad members have reportedly attended four or five international camps without receiving their promised compensation. McCarthy voiced deep concern over how the ongoing financial dispute damages squad morale and player commitment. The players' welfare and commitment are crucial to the team's success, and the current situation is likely to impact their performance.
Athanus Obango, FKF Head of Projects and National Teams, confirmed that players are demanding Sh80,000 each in back pay tied to previous fixtures against Senegal and Lesotho. Kenya previously played two friendlies against Lesotho in June, drawing 1-1 before suffering a 4-1 defeat, and losing 8-0 to Senegal in Antalya, Turkey. The players' demands are reasonable, given the circumstances.
Despite the chaos off the pitch, international fixtures continue to push forward. McCarthy recently named a 24-man, foreign-heavy squad to kick off their 2027 AFCON qualifying group, which includes South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea. Eritrea's delegation arrived in Kenya on Tuesday and began training at the Police Sacco Stadium. The team's upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their qualification prospects.
The Harambee Stars will face Eritrea in Nairobi, followed by a match against Guinea on October 1 in Conakry. McCarthy and his team must navigate these challenges while dealing with the permit issues and player unrest. The team's performance in these matches will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy and his foreign coaching staff have been operating without formal Kenyan work permits for over a year.
- The team's players are demanding Sh80,000 each in back pay tied to previous fixtures against Senegal and Lesotho.
- The Harambee Stars face a crucial AFCON qualifier against Eritrea in Nairobi, followed by a match against Guinea on October 1.
