NAIROBI, Nov 26: Kenya’s national team have gone on strike and refused to depart for the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in neighbouring Rwanda, Kenyan newspapers reported on Saturday.

Players demanded settlement of outstanding allowances from matches played earlier this year before boarding a chartered plane for Kigali on Friday. When they did not receive the money, they refused to board.

The players had also staged a sit-in at the Kenyan Football Federation offices on Thursday.

Kenya now face a minimum of a two-year ban from the annual regional competition, which is the oldest football tournament on the continent.

Officials said they were still hoping to resolve the situation as Kenya do not play their opening match in Group A until Monday, against Eritrea in Kigali.—Reuters