Harambee Stars goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo has revealed the difficult conditions the Kenyan national team faced during their recent trips to Tanzania and Zanzibar, describing experiences that left players frustrated and uncomfortable. The shocking revelations come months after Kenya’s controversial withdrawal from the CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament in July, a decision made by head coach Benni McCarthy over what he termed as “unfit conditions” for his players.
Shikalo defended McCarthy’s move, explaining that the team had already endured worse situations earlier in the year during the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar. Speaking on the TikiTaka Show, the goalkeeper opened up about how players were forced to endure unacceptable living standards while representing their country.
What Happened to Harambee Stars in Zanzibar and Tanzania?
“Many people judged us and said it was wrong, that we should have just played, but they do not know that even before that, when we played the Mapinduzi Cup, we were sleeping on the floor,” Shikalo revealed.
He went on to say that despite the hardship, the players chose to stay silent and focus on flying the Kenyan flag high. “We do not talk because we go there to fly our flag and we know this is an opportunity every player dreams of, but we were sleeping on the floor. We withstood all those conditions and went on to fight on the pitch. We were wondering why they despise us so much yet we give them a good reception here [in Kenya],” added the former Bandari FC shot-stopper.
During the Mapinduzi Cup, Harambee Stars reached the final but lost to hosts Zanzibar under controversial circumstances. However, the goalkeeper said that their determination on the pitch could not hide the difficult off-pitch experiences that left them demoralized.
Why Did Coach Benni McCarthy Withdraw the Team?
Shikalo also detailed the poor conditions that awaited them during the CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament in Karatu, Tanzania. He explained that the hotel lacked necessities, forcing McCarthy to call off the team’s participation.
“In Tanzania, at the hotel, you had to go to the reception, which is like 500m away, to get WIFI connection,” he said. “The food was also substandard and it is why the coach said with this environment, I cannot risk. So he said, Why don’t we go back home somewhere good where there are no risks?”
The goalkeeper added that McCarthy’s decision was also influenced by the poor state of the training facilities. “The hotel in Tanzania and Senegal were booked in was great, so why not us? That is why the coach said there was no need to risk diseases when CHAN was just around the corner,” he noted.
The Harambee Stars boss reportedly raised concerns about the artificial turf and unsafe training grounds that could have exposed players to injuries ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Shikalo’s revelations have reignited debate over how regional tournaments handle visiting teams, with fans and analysts calling for fair treatment and improved standards for all participating nations.
By Yockshard Enyendi