Kenya’s Harambee Stars have boycotted training ahead of Saturday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Eritrea, with players demanding urgent action over unpaid allowances, accommodation and travel arrangements.
The players, who reported to camp earlier this week, reportedly held a meeting and resolved not to take part in training until their grievances are addressed.
The squad is seeking a meeting with either President William Ruto or senior officials from the Ministry of Sports to discuss what they describe as longstanding welfare and logistical concerns during national team assignments.
A major issue raised by the players is accommodation. They are reportedly unhappy with the standard of hotels provided during both home and away assignments, arguing that the facilities do not meet the expectations of players representing the national team.
The players have also questioned the travel arrangements made for them, particularly the use of cheaper flights with lengthy layovers despite what they say are more convenient alternatives being available.
At the centre of the standoff, however, are outstanding allowances. Reports indicate that some of the payments owed to players relate to previous international assignments, including friendly matches against Senegal and Equatorial Guinea in November 2025 and matches against Lesotho in June 2026.
The players are reportedly demanding that the outstanding payments be settled before they resume normal training.
The dispute comes just days before Kenya’s opening Group D fixture against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, September 26. CAF has scheduled the match for 4pm East African Time, with Kenya’s next qualifier against Guinea set for October 1 in Conakry.
Kenya’s group also includes South Africa, which faces Guinea in the other Group D fixture on Saturday.
The qualification campaign carries a unique significance for Kenya because the country, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, is one of the hosts of the 2027 AFCON finals and is therefore automatically qualified for the tournament. Under CAF’s qualification format, only the highest-ranked team apart from Kenya will qualify from Group D.
Despite their automatic qualification, the matches provide head coach Benni McCarthy with an opportunity to build a competitive side ahead of the tournament. McCarthy named a 24-man squad for the opening qualifiers, with captain Michael Olunga leading the team.
The training boycott now threatens to disrupt preparations at a crucial stage, with only a few days remaining before Eritrea’s visit to Nairobi.
The latest standoff also revives concerns over the management and welfare of Kenya’s national teams.
With the Eritrea fixture fast approaching, attention is now on Football Kenya Federation and the Ministry of Sports to determine whether the dispute can be resolved in time for the players to return to training and complete their preparations for the Nyayo clash.
