Harambee Stars defender Mike Kibwage says healthy competition within the squad has been crucial in raising standards as the team gears up for their African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals clash against Madagascar on Friday.

Speaking to the media during the team’s open training session at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday, Kibwage explained that the squad’s depth had created a positive challenge for players, with every training session turning into a battle to impress the technical bench.

“The competition is very healthy. We have a strong squad where in every training session players show they deserve a place in the first eleven. And as you know, the coach also rotates the squad, so we have no idea who will start,” said Kibwage.

The defender believes the rotation policy has kept players sharp and hungry, ensuring the team remains unpredictable and flexible going into the knockout stages.

Midfielder Austin Odhiambo, who played a key role in the group stage, also called for maximum focus as the tournament intensifies.

“We are now playing with sides that topped their various groups, so we need to concentrate even more,” Odhiambo stated.

He added that Kenya must show their quality beyond the preliminary round.

“If we lose this game, maybe people will say we were just lucky in the group stages, but I don’t think that is the truth,” he said.

Kenya progressed to the quarter-finals after topping Pool A, which many described as the “group of death.”

Harambee Stars went unbeaten in their four matches, recording three wins and one draw while conceding just a single goal.

Meanwhile Madagascar finished second in group B losing one game and conceding three games in the process.

Harambee stars received reprieve on Thursday after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) cleared Kenya to host up to 36,000 fans at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, for the last eight clash against Madagascar.

This will be a 20 percent increase to the 27,000 fans who attended the group stage clash against Zambia on Sunday.