Faruk Shikalo Speaks Out For The Poor Treatment in Tanzania Overshadows His New World Record

Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo opens up about the harsh conditions. Harambee Stars faced in Tanzania and Zanzibar, even as he celebrates. Setting a new world record for most clean sheets in consecutive regional games. Faruk Shikalo world record and poor treatment in Tanzania. He has finally spoken about the poor treatment the Kenyan national team received during their visits to Tanzania and Zanzibar for recent regional tournaments. The experienced shot-stopper said the team endured “unbearable” conditions during the CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament in July, which eventually forced head coach Benni McCarthy to withdraw the players from the event.

Shikalo, who recently broke a world record for most consecutive clean sheets in regional competitions, revealed that the environment in Tanzania was so poor that it became unsafe for the players. “We Slept on the Floor,” Says Shikalo. Speaking on the TikiTaka Show, Shikalo shared painful details of what the players went through. He said that during the Mapinduzi Cup earlier this year in Zanzibar, the team had been forced to sleep on the floor because there were not enough beds for everyone. “Many people criticized us for leaving the tournament,” Shikalo said. “But they do not know the real story. Even before the CECAFA tournament, when we went to Zanzibar for the Mapinduzi Cup, we were sleeping on the floor. We just kept quiet because we wanted to represent Kenya with pride.”

The goalkeeper added that the players chose to remain silent at the time out of respect for their country and love for the game. “We went there to fly our flag high,” he continued. “Every player dreams of wearing the national colors, so we endured everything. But we were wondering why they despised us so much, yet we always give Tanzanian teams a warm welcome when they visit Kenya.” McCarthy’s Bold Decision to Withdraw. The Harambee Stars were preparing for the CECAFA Four-Nations Tournament in Karatu when McCarthy decided to withdraw his squad. According to Shikalo, the coach could not risk the players’ health and morale ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“The coach saw how bad things were and decided enough was enough,” Shikalo explained. “He said, ‘We can’t play in these conditions. Let’s go back home.” He added that the hotel facilities were far below acceptable standards.“At the hotel in Tanzania, you had to walk 500 meters to the reception just to get Wi-Fi,” said the goalkeeper. “The food was also terrible, and the environment was not clean. Coach Benni said he could not risk our health with CHAN just around the corner.” Shikalo revealed that teams like Tanzania and Senegal were housed in much better hotels, something that left the Kenyan players feeling disrespected. “The hotels where Tanzania and Senegal stayed were very good,” he said. “So why were we treated differently? It felt unfair.

The coach decided we were better off training at home in better conditions.” Unsafe Pitch and Poor Training GroundsAnother key issue was the playing surface and training facilities in Karatu. The pitch, made of artificial turf, was in bad shape and increased the risk of injury. “The field was hard and uneven,” Shikalo noted. “Even walking on it was dangerous. The coach didn’t want us to get injured right before CHAN. It was the right call to leave.” The training grounds were also substandard, with the players forced to practice in dusty, poorly maintained areas. Shikalo said the situation was “disheartening” for a team preparing for major international competition. “It felt like nobody cared about our welfare,” he said. “We were not asking for luxury, just basic conditions to train and stay healthy.”

Breaking a World Record Amid the Challenges

Despite all the setbacks, Shikalo has managed to make history. The Kenyan goalkeeper recently set a new world record by keeping seven consecutive clean sheets in regional tournaments surpassing the previous mark of six. “It feels amazing to break the record,” Shikalo said with pride. “It shows that even with all the challenges, we never stopped fighting.” He dedicated the record to his teammates and the coaching staff, saying they gave everything despite the poor circumstances. “This achievement is for the whole team,” he added. “We went through so much together, and still managed to perform on the pitch. That shows true character.”

1Shikalo Calls for Better Treatment

The goalkeeper hopes his revelations will open a wider conversation about how Kenyan players are treated abroad.“We deserve the same respect we give others,” he said. “When teams come to Kenya, we welcome them with open arms. But when we travel, it’s like we’re not valued.”Shikalo believes that football officials across the region should ensure all teams receive fair and equal treatment.“We’re all part of African football,” he said. “We should help each other grow, not bring each other down. Conditions like those we faced in Tanzania can destroy players’ confidence and health.”

Looking Ahead

As Harambee Stars prepare for upcoming international fixtures, Shikalo says the focus now is on unity and performance.“We’ve moved past what happened,” he said. “Now we want to focus on the next challenge. Kenya has so much talent, and we want to show the world what we can do.”Despite the rough experiences in Tanzania and Zanzibar, Shikalo remains hopeful. His record-breaking run has inspired many young goalkeepers across Kenya and beyond.“It’s all about hard work and faith,” he concluded. “No matter the conditions, always give your best. One day, it will pay off.”