Official: Harambee Stars to play 2018 World Cup hosts Russia in October
29th September 2023
The match will take place in Turkey during the October international window.
- This will be the third high profile international friendly that Kenya is expected to play since the world governing football body, FIFA, lifted a ban imposed on the country earlier this year.
- The match will take place on Monday 16 October.
- The game will be the third high profile game after matches against Iran and Qatar.
The Kenya Football Federation (FKF)
has confirmed that Harambee Stars will play a friendly match against Russia on
Monday, October 16, 2023.
According to FKF, Harambee Stars will travel to Antalya, Turkey during the upcoming international break to square it out with the 2018 World Cup hosts.
This will be the third high profile international friendly that Kenya is expected to play since the world governing football body, FIFA lifted a ban earlier this year.
In March, Kenya suffered a narrow
2-1 defeat in the hands of Iran, with skipper Michael Olunga finding the back
of the net.
Nevertheless, the Engin Firat coached side managed to put a smile on the faces of the local football fans during the September international break when they stunned Qatar 2-1.
Joseph Okumu, who plies his trade for French side Reims was on the scoresheet for Kenya in the first half before Amos Nondi Obiero snatched a late winner.
However, in their recent clash, South Sudan edged Harambee Stars 1-0 in a match which was hosted at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Despite the disappointment, Firat stated that he was happy with his charges for the progress they have made ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers scheduled to kick off in November.
The team has been pooled in Group F alongside West African powerhouse Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, Gambia and Seychelles.
The winner of the group will earn a direct ticket to the global showpiece which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Should Harambee Stars fail to top the group, they will have another chance to earn a spot in a play-off tournament involving the four most outstanding runners-up.
The eagerly awaited friendly against Russia will help Harambee Stars gauge themselves ahead of their first qualifier against Gabon.
Russia, which is currently serving a FIFA and UEFA suspension due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, boasts of many brilliant footballers including AS Monaco midfielder Aleksandr Golovin and Artem Dzyuba.
Denis Cheryshev who scored a wonder goal during the 2018 World Cup against Saudi Arabia is also likely to feature against Harambee Stars.
By Tony Kipkorir