Mohammed Bajaber trains at the Kasarani Annex / TEDDY MULEI
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has tailored a training/recovery programme for Kenya Police FC forward Mohammed Bajaber ahead of next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The South African tactician revealed that the 22-year-old attacker picked up a knock in training before Kenya’s international friendly double-header against Chad in Morocco last month.
The first round of the friendly encounter ended with a goalless draw before Stars clinched a morale-boosting 2-1 win in the return fixture, marking McCarthy’s maiden victory at the helm.
Emmanuel Osoro and David Sakwa were on target during the match.
Since the squad set up camp at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani, last week, Bajaber has been under close supervision by the team physiotherapist.
The forward remains central to McCarthy’s plans for the continental show.
“Bajaber got injured before we went to Morocco. He is strained, but my decision is that he is a good player, so we cannot drop him. He has already established himself,” the tactician noted.
“He has a strict plan with the physio. During training, he starts with the team but when we get to the physical part of the training, we have him train alone.”
“We want to safeguard him so that, when Chan comes, we have one of our best players available and ready to play,” he said.
“It would be silly of me to have him train every day with the team; he may pick up a knock before Chan, which will be a big blow to us.”
Bajaber has been a revelation since his mid-season switch from Nairobi City Stars to Police earlier this year.
He was the law enforcers’ top scorer with nine goals and eighth in the league’s Golden Boot race.
His contribution helped Police lift their maiden Premier League title, topping the standings with 65 points, six points clear of record champions Gor Mahia at second.
McCarthy believes Bajaber’s talent won’t go unnoticed, predicting that clubs beyond Kenyan borders could come knocking.
“He will not be playing in the Kenyan league for long because he is a top player. Top clubs will soon come for him,” observed McCarthy.
Bajaber is proud to be a part of the national team set-up.
“It’s an honour being selected for the national team out of all the players in the country. I am so proud. As a team, we have to be ambitious and go into the championship (Chan) with a winning mindset,” Bajaber said.
Stars will show no fear when the tournament kicks off.
“You can’t go into the tournament while fearing your opponents; you have to respect them, but not fear them,” he added.
Harambee Stars are in Group ‘A’ alongside DR Congo, Morocco, Zambia and Angola.
