Kenya’s national football team Harambee Stars coach Francis kimanzi has appointed Kenya Police FC defender Abud Omar for the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup, set to take place in Zanzibar.
Abud, the longest-serving player in the national team for the tournament, has been a vital presence in the squad over the years and expressed his pride at assuming the leadership role.
“It’s a great privilege and honour to be appointed as the national team captain. Having been part of the national team for so long, I fully understand the responsibility that comes with this role.
Winning the Mapinduzi Cup is the bare minimum for us. I will push the team to give their best, but most importantly, I’ll lead by example as an experienced player,” Abud told FKF Media.
After spending five years playing professional football in Europe where featured for teams in Greece (Panegialios), Belgium (Cercle Brugge) and Romania (Slavia Sofia), before returning to Kenya to join Kenya Police FC.
Abud made earned his national team first call up in 2013, making his debut for Harambee Stars in that same year where he was part of the squad that lifted the Confederation of East and Central Africa Associations (CECAFA) in Nairobi.
Kenya will kick off their Mapinduzi Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday January 4th, 2025 evening, followed by a match against Kilimanjaro Heroes on Tuesday, January 6th, before rounding off the group stage with a clash against the hosts Zanzibar Heroes on Friday January 10th night.
