Kenya Police FC defender Abud Omar has been named the captain of the Harambee Stars for the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup.
A seasoned left-back with years of experience in the national team, Abud expressed both pride and a strong sense of responsibility after receiving the leadership role.
“It’s truly an honour to be named captain. Having been part of the national team for many years, I fully understand the significance of this position. Our goal is to win the Mapinduzi Cup, and I will push the players to give their best. As an experienced member of the squad, I aim to lead by example,” Abud stated.
On the team’s preparations, Abud showed confidence, highlighting the blend of seasoned players and emerging talent in the squad:
“The team is in great shape. We have a strong mix of experienced players and exciting young talents who have worked hard to earn their spot. We are not the underdogs. From the start, our target is clear: to win the Mapinduzi Cup. Anything short of that will be a disappointment.”
Abud also acknowledged the challenges the Harambee Stars have faced, especially the absence of home support:
“It has not been easy, with many of our matches being played away from home. We have missed the support of our fans, and I urge them to continue standing by us. We are building a solid team for CHAN, and we can’t wait to play in front of our home supporters after such a long time.”
After returning to Kenya to join Kenya Police FC following a five-year stint in Europe with clubs in Greece, Belgium, and Romania, Abud is eager to embrace new opportunities.
Kenya’s tournament campaign will kick off on Saturday evening against Burkina Faso, followed by a match with Kilimanjaro Heroes on Tuesday. The final group stage match will take place on Friday evening against Zanzibar Heroes.
