Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, experienced an unexpected setback in South Africa after a dispute over accommodation arrangements reportedly left players and officials stranded in a hotel lobby for several hours ahead of their international friendly matches against Lesotho.
"Players and officials were stranded, spending over three hours seated in the hotel lobby as they awaited clearance to check in,” Kevin Teya reported on his social media X account.
The incident occurred shortly after the team arrived in Pretoria for a two-match FIFA international window against Lesotho.
Reports first shared by sports journalist Kevin Teya indicated that players rejected the initial hotel booked for the squad, describing the facilities as unsuitable for a national team camp.
The team subsequently moved to a second hotel. However, a fresh challenge emerged when the establishment reportedly demanded payment before allowing the delegation to check in.
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According to the reports, negotiations between the hotel management and team officials dragged on for several hours.
Payment dispute sparks uncertainty.
Initial reports suggested that the hotel had requested full payment up front before admitting the team. Management later agreed to accept payment for one night while awaiting confirmation of the remaining settlement.
Despite the concession, the delay reportedly left players and officials waiting as discussions continued.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had not publicly commented on the matter when the reports surfaced.
Independent verification of the payment dispute remains limited, although the accommodation challenges quickly drew attention from football fans on social media.
Independent verification of the payment dispute remains limited, although the accommodation challenges quickly drew attention from football fans on social media.
The incident comes at a crucial stage for head coach Benni McCarthy, who is using the June international window to assess his squad and build momentum ahead of future continental assignments.
Situation resolved before training
Later updates indicated that the matter was eventually resolved, allowing the players access to their rooms at the second hotel.
Attention has since shifted back to football matters, with the team expected to resume preparations for the friendly fixtures.
“The Harambee Stars accommodation issue was finally resolved late last night, with the players granted access to rooms at a second hotel,” Teya later reported.
Kenya will face Lesotho in two international friendlies at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. The matches were arranged after previously scheduled fixtures against Palestine and Kyrgyzstan were cancelled because of logistical challenges.
The episode raises fresh questions about logistical planning around national team assignments, even as Harambee Stars seek to keep their focus firmly on the pitch ahead of the Lesotho encounters.
