Upon the March international football break, the FKF sorted out for a 4 nations tourney for the Harambee Stars. It was to be hosted in Malawi and it could involve ; Malawi, Zimbambwe, Zambia and Kenya. This tournament was set to present a valuable opportunity to play more matches within the short international window, thus aiding in preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualifying campaigns.
March 13th Head Coach Engin Firat names his provisional squad that included the following players drawn from both the local and international leagues.
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Zesco-Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Bonphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal)
Defenders
Collins Sichenje (AIK-Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela-Portugal), Dennis Ng’ang’a (Zanaco Zambia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg-Denmark), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland)
Midfileders
Alphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Aalborg-Denmark), Anthony Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), David Sakwa (Bandari), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sebail-Azeberijan), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia)
Forwards
John Avire (Sekka), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)
The players then entered a residential camp and the following players were named on the final squad that departed on 21st March. Goalkeepers ; Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi . Defenders ; Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje,Daniel Anyembe, Abud Omar, Amos Nondi, Geoffrey Ochieng. Midfielder ; Chrispine Erambo, Richard Odada,Kenneth Muguna, Kaycie Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Anthony Akumu, Eric Johanna. Forwards ; Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, John Avire. Eic Johanna and Adud Omar were later dropped and did not travel with the team.
The team traveled and arrived safely, had a short shake of session and on Saturday took to the pitch in their first match against Malawi the host. No sooner had the match kicked off and right on the 1st minute captain Michael Olunga scored the opener and netted a brace in the 4th minute of play. In the 70th minute Malawi got a penalty and upto to task Patrick Matasi saved it . Substitutes Ayub Timbe scored a third goal in the 82nd minute while John Avire netted in what a goal in the 94th minute. Harambee Stars won the match on a 4-0 scoreline.
Alongside the teams participating in the four nations tournament, the stars took part in a tree planting exercise in Lilongwe, Malawi and then the focus was shifted to the finals against Zimbabwe. The match was slated on the captains birthday and fortunately the engineer did not disappoint. On the 3rd minute Zimbambwe scored an opener that was equalized by the captain with a minute left for the break. Back into the second half, the birthday boy slatted in his brace at the 62nd minute. As if that was not enough, there came in the hattrick at the 86th minute which sealed the match and crowned Harambee Stars the trophy.
