Harambee Stars In Burundi 2020 CHAN Opening Qualifier

31st January 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Kenya to launch bid for a maiden appearance at home grown players continental showpiece after being denied a chance to host the 2018 tournament

Harambee Stars striker, Michael Olunga celebrates Kenya's opening goal during their 2019 AFCON qualifier against Ghana at the MISC Kasarani on September 8, 2018. PHOTO/SportPicha.com
SUMMARY
  • Eight nations among them Kenya will vie for two slots at the 16-team tournament from the East African region with neighbours Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Somalia drawn to play in the same zone during the qualifiers with the hosts having an automatic ticket
  • The national team is planning a training camp in France ahead of their last qualifier against Ghana in March

NAIROBI, Kenya- Harambee Stars will face off Burundi in the first round of the Ethiopia 2020 CAF Africa Home Nations Championships (CHAN) following the draw for the home grown players continental showpiece conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday. 

Eight nations among them Kenya will vie for two slots at the 16-team tournament from the East African region with neighbours Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Somalia drawn to play in the same zone during the qualifiers with the hosts having an automatic ticket.

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Kenya famously lost the rights to host the 2018 CHAN after CAF withdrew the tournament due to lack of readiness and security concerns due to the volatile political tension occasioned by the repeat General Election of 2017.

Should Stars prevail, either Tanzania or Sudan will be the only obstacle to Kenya’s maiden appearance at the tourney with CAF due to announce the qualifiers date in due course.

Morocco, who came in as stand in hosts won their first trophy of the competition launched in 2009 when they hammered Nigeria 4-0 in the final played on February 4 last year.

Stars will feature in this year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after returning to the expanded 24-team continental football signature tournament after 15 years.

The national team is planning a training camp in France ahead of their last qualifier against Ghana in March.

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