Harambee Stars hold first training session in Malawi ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers
3rd June 2024
The team arrived in Malawi on Sunday 2 June.
- Harambee Stars will be facing Burundi and current African champions Ivory Coast on June 7 and June 11.
- Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
- The team has picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
The men’s national team, Harambee Stars, held their first
training session in Malawi on Sunday 2 June ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup
Qualifier matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
The Engin Firat-coached side will play Burundi on June 7 and Ivory Coast on June 11 in matchdays three and four respectively of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with both matches set to be staged at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The team, which will be using Malawi as its home venue since the Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium were closed down for renovation works, arrived in Lilongwe on Sunday.
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Speaking ahead of the two clashes, Firat remained optimistic that his team will rise to the occasion in Lilongwe as the Kenyans play host to their opponents away from home soil.
Firat also noted that the team is in high spirits and his players are ready to claim maximum points in the qualifiers.
The Harambee Stars tactician called up midfielder Clifton Miheso after leaving out Eric Johanna due to indiscipline issues, noting that Miheso is well-experienced.
Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma joined the team alongside defenders Daniel Anyembe and Collins Sichenje.
Additionally, Joseph Okumu is also expected to join the camp in Lilongwe as the team intensifies its preparations for the qualifiers.
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The coach mentioned that although the team would have preferred to play in Nairobi, due to the prevailing circumstances, they had to play in Lilongwe.
However, Firat expressed confidence, recalling that Harambee Stars’ past outings in Malawi had been fruitful, and the team is hopeful that this time around, the tides will favor the Kenyan side again.
Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
Only the top team in the group, which comprises Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya, will qualify for the 48-team World Cup, which will be played across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will also get a lifeline in a playoff that will determine CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, which will decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths.
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Travelling Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi
Defenders
Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Zak Vyner, Alphonce Omija, Erik Ouma Otieno, Abud Omar, Daniel Anyembe, Tobias Knost
Midfielders
John Ochieng, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Kenneth Muguna, Austin Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango.
Forwards
John Avire, Benson Omalla, Michael Olunga