Kenya national men football team Harambee Stars is still work in progress according to head coach Engin Firat ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifiers commencing this November with Gabon and Seychelles assignments.

Firat who will be guiding Stars to yet another World Cup qualifying campaign says the build-up games the has played thus far under his tutelage has helped him to establish a base for the national outfit, adding that the work will continue going into the penultimate stage.

“I understand that in Africa we are not really patient and I don’t know if we will be at the level which I want by November but this process has to go on with us even when the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers begin. The process will not stop, it will be ongoing,” Firat said.

Harambee Stars hit day three in the camp today at Kasarani with full focus on immediate outings against Qatar on Thursday in Doha and South Sudan next Tuesday.

Skipper Michael Olunga joined the camp yesterday and was part of the morning training session.

Ayub Timbe Masika who is returning to the national team for the first time in three years had a knock on his left foot last week in training, a day before his side Nanjing City drew 1-1 against Wuxi Wuguo in the Chinese second division league.

Coach Firat revealed that Timbe will join the rest of the team in Doha on Wednesday.

Midfielder Kenneth Muguna remains a doubt for the Doha fixture although he reported to camp and was due for further check-up last evening on the injury he got while playing for Police FC on Friday against Posta Rangers.

Alfred Scriven (IL Hodd, Norway), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia) and Clarke Oduor (Bradford City, England) also took part in thewa morning session yesterday.

Defenders Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi and midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma were all set for arrivals last night.

Qatar, ranked 59 on FIFA standings, has named a strong squad for the Kenya friendly game.

Skipper Michael Olunga will face five of his Al Duhail team mates who are named in Coach Carlos Queiroz’s 26-man team.

Firat says such a high level test match is necessary and necessary for testing the potential of the Kenyan boys.

“Qatar is a very good side, I think it is only during the World Cup that they did not show the performance that they have shown before, they are also the defending Asian Cup Champions and more so they have a very impressive home record. To add on that they have a very good squad and everybody who featured in the World Cup is available for them. They have a strong team to challenge us and this in the end is good for us to see how well we can handle situations especially under pressure”, Firat added.

Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks youngster Stanley Wilson has expressed his elation after receiving a maiden national team call up.

The 17-year old midfielder says he is committed to giving his all in the field to stamp authority at Harambee Stars, expressing his uttermost admiration of former captain Victor Wanyama.