Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, has suffered a major setback just days before their opening match at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
Their talented attacking midfielder, Mohammed Bajaber, will no longer feature in the tournament following a last-minute transfer and tournament eligibility rules.
Bajaber, 23, had been one of Kenya’s most promising players and was seen as a key figure in the squad heading into the competition.
However, just five days before the tournament kicks off, he completed a move to Tanzanian football giants Simba SC. This transfer made him ineligible to compete in CHAN 2024, which only allows players currently playing in their home country’s league to take part.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organizes CHAN, has strict rules that limit participation to players active in their national leagues. Since Bajaber previously played for Kenya Police FC in the Kenya Premier League, he was initially cleared for the squad.
But his recent move abroad automatically disqualified him under these regulations. His replacement in the squad is Brian Michira, a midfielder from Shabana FC.
Coach Benni McCarthy now faces the difficult task of making last-minute adjustments to his team. Losing Bajaber, who was expected to have a major impact on Kenya’s performance, is a big blow, especially so close to the tournament’s start.
Bajaber isn’t the only player to be ruled out due to a move abroad. Earlier in July, Kenyan players Emmanuel Osoro and Moses Shummah also missed out on CHAN after signing for clubs in Zambia, which disqualified them from the tournament as well.
Another important CHAN rule concerns player age. While CHAN is not overly restrictive, players must be at least 18 years old and under 35 by the start of the tournament.
This rule ensures a balanced mix of youth and experience, while avoiding the inclusion of players who may be past their peak competitive years. It also supports the development of younger players who are trying to establish themselves in professional football.
CHAN is unique because it is designed specifically for players based in local leagues across Africa. The goal is to give homegrown talents—those who haven’t yet moved to major clubs abroad—a chance to shine on the continental stage.
By focusing on local talent, CHAN plays a key role in nurturing and exposing future stars within African nations.
With the tournament just days away, Coach McCarthy will be hoping no further surprises shake the team. Since CHAN allows only a 23-man squad, including 11 starters, 5 substitutes, and 7 reserve players, teams don’t have much room to make changes after registration.
That means every withdrawal, like Bajaber’s, significantly impacts team strategy and planning.
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