Harambee Stars players. Photo: Handout

Hussein Mohammed has explained why Harambee Stars players may not directly benefit from their CHAN 2024 prize money, citing financial obligations that must be settled first.

FKF President Hussein Mohammed has revealed why Harambee Stars players might not have a share of the Confederation of African Football prize money for reaching the quarterfinal of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).

Following Harambee Stars’ qualification to the quarter-final, where they were eliminated from the tournament by Madagascar, they are set to receive $450,000 (Ksh 58 million).

Hussein Mohammed broke down the reason behind the move as he explained that the federation, through the government, has paid all the allowances, except for about five players, who will receive their payments through the federation in due time.

He revealed that as Harambee Stars players and the technical bench went into camp in July, all their allowances were catered for, and as they exited the CHAN 2024 tournament, all their allowances for the month had also been cleared.

Hussein Mohammed added that all the bonuses from President William Ruto had also been cleared, with each player and members of the technical bench having pocketed about Ksh 5 million.

FKF President Hussein Mohammed said that with Harambee Stars having reached the quarterfinals, it came with prize money but reminded everyone that there were sanctions from CAF, including financial penalties, which had to be settled.

Hussein Mohammed explained that the fine was just under Ksh 13 million and that, although one of the cases had been appealed, they had 60 days to make the payments.

He added that they were awaiting official communication from CAF on the exact amount of prize money and when it would be released.

“However, I have also outlined how much Harambee Stars have made, and the total comes to about Ksh 232 million, which might be four or five times the prize money might be,” Hussein Mohammed revealed.

“The federation will prioritise what is very urgent…we have to consider what is needed and we shall decide on what is left. We will have to sit down and discuss. We have paid them Ksh 21.5 million in allowances for the 27 players who were in camp and the 15 officials.”

Hussein Mohammed stressed that while Harambee Stars had already benefited significantly from allowances and bonuses, the federation must first address urgent financial obligations, including CAF sanctions, before deciding how to allocate any remaining prize money.