Shabana FC forward Brian Michira has set his sights on a call-up to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for August.
The in-form attacker is coming off an impressive campaign with the Glamour Boys and believes his performances have put him in contention for a spot in the national team.
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Speaking exclusively to Pepeta, Michira believes he is in a great shape and making the CHAN squad will be a dream come true.
“I’ve had a good season and I am in great shape. Getting called up to the national team is every player’s dream. If I make it to the CHAN squad, I will feel like all the effort I put in this season has paid off. It would be a huge milestone for me and a big motivation heading into the new season,” said Michira.
The versatile forward, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder, was instrumental in Shabana’s FKF Premier League campaign, netting 12 goals and providing 8 assists—an impressive 20 goal contributions. His exploits weren’t limited to the league; he was equally lethal in the Mozzart Bet Cup, where he scored five goals to claim the 2024/25 Golden Boot.
Reflecting on his form, Michira revealed the mindset that propelled him throughout the season saying, “I have pushed myself to the limit in training. From day one, my plan was to keep improving. If I assisted in one match, then the next game I aimed to score and assist or get more assists. Always striving to be better than my last performance has kept me going, and it’s really helped me a lot.”
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Michira also credited his surge in form to the departure of teammate Mathew Tegisi, who left the club midway through the season to join Tanzania’s Pamba Jiji. The two had formed a potent attacking duo in the first half of the campaign, and Tegisi’s exit, along with his national team call-up, fueled Michira’s hunger to step up.
“His move to Tanzania pushed me to work harder. At the time, he had also received a national team call-up, which really motivated me. I felt that as the club’s main attacking outlet, scoring goals and helping the team win would boost my chances of also making the national team,” he added.
Michira believes that had Tegisi remained at the club, the pair would have become one of the most dangerous attacking partnerships the FKF Premier League has ever seen.
“Had he stayed, I believe we would have been unstoppable. No defense would have handled us easily we could have been one of the most dominant attacking duos ever witnessed in the league,” opines the lanky forward.
The forward also praised Shabana’s assistant coach Bernard Mwalala for playing a big role in his development. Mwalala, a former striker who donned national team colors during his playing days, has served as both a mentor and tactical guide for Michira.
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“Coach Mwalala has really helped me. He was a striker himself, so he understands the runs I need to make. He does not just tell me he shows me in training. He also guides me on how to improve my finishing, and that has made a huge difference in my game.”
Having missed out on last year’s Harambee Stars traveling squad for the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar due to delays in travel documentation, Michira is eager to finally don the national team jersey. With CHAN fast approaching the forward is hoping his strong season will be enough to earn him a spot in Benni McCarthy’s squad.
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