The tournament will offer Harambee Stars a golden opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off on February 1-28, 2025.
Kenya will co-host Chan alongside Tanzania and Uganda. Traditionally a showcase for Zanzibari and Tanzanian mainland clubs, the Mapinduzi Cup, established in 2004 by the Zanzibar Football Federation, honours Zanzibar’s Revolution Day on January 12.
This year’s edition marks a significant shift, as it will feature national teams for the first time in its history.
Suleiman Jabir, vice chair of the tournament, confirmed the change.
“The tournament will begin on January 3, with the final set for January 13. A draw will determine the groupings for participating teams,” he announced.
The national teams from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Burkina Faso will join Tanzanian representatives Zanzibar Heros and Kilimanjaro Stars. The tournament promises intense competition, with the ultimate winners pocketing Tsh100 million (approximately Sh4.9 million).
Kenya enters the Mapinduzi Cup looking to rebuild after recent disappointments on the international stage.
The Stars failed to secure a spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco, finishing third in Group ‘J’ with six points.
In the six group stage matches played, Harambee Stars recorded just one win.
John Avire and Duke Abuya netted for Harambee Stars to give them their solitary win in the group-stage matches.
They recorded three draws (1-1 against Zimbabwe and barren draws against Namibia and Zimbabwe) and two losses (4-1 and 1-0 both against Cameroon).
Cameroon (14 points) and Zimbabwe (nine points) claimed the group's qualification slots for the continental extravaganza.
Earlier, Kenya suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to South Sudan in the CHAN qualifiers.
