Kenya Police FC defender Abud Omar has been appointed captain of Harambee Stars for the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup.
The experienced left-back, who has been a key figure in the national team setup for years, shared his pride and determination after taking on the leadership role.
“It’s a privilege and honour to be named captain. Having been part of the national team setup for a long time, I understand what this role means. Winning the Mapinduzi Cup is our bare minimum. I’ll demand more from the players, but above all, I must lead by example as an experienced player and a veteran of the team,” said Abud.
Speaking about the team’s readiness, Abud expressed confidence in the squad’s preparations and balance:]
“We have prepared well, and the team is in good shape. There’s a perfect blend of senior players and young talents who have shown immense potential and worked hard to make the final squad. We are not underdogs, and the target from the onset is to win the Mapinduzi Cup. Anything less would be a failure.”
He addressed the challenges Harambee Stars have faced recently, particularly playing without home support: “It hasn’t been an easy ride for the national team, especially with most of our games being played away. We’ve missed the support of our fans. I urge them to keep standing by us. We are building a strong team for CHAN, and we’re excited about finally playing in front of our home fans after such a long time.”
On a personal level, Abud expressed his delight at becoming a regular in the national team again and reiterated his ambitions for a move abroad. After returning to Kenya to join Kenya Police FC following five years in Europe with stints in Greece, Belgium, and Romania, he is eager to seize new opportunities.
“I feel stronger and better now, and I know if I keep working hard, I’ll get another opportunity to join a bigger club abroad. That’s always been the dream for any footballer, and I’m no different,” he concluded.
Kenya will open its campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday evening, followed by a clash with Kilimanjaro Heroes on Tuesday. The final group match will be played on Friday evening against Zanzibar Heroes.
