The national men football team Harambee Stars will play in front of its home fans at the Kasarani Stadium today for the first time in three years as they face South Sudan in an international friendly.

The last time Kenya played on home soil was in November 2021 at Nyayo Stadium, winning 2-1 against Rwanda in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

Since the resumption of football in the country after the prolonged suspension last year, Harambee Stars has played four matches against Iran, Pakistan, Mauritius and last week’s 2-1 win over Qatar in Doha, all of them away from home.

Head to head

This will be the fifth meeting between Kenya and South Sudan. Kenya has won all the previous four encounters, trouncing today’s visitors 2-0 in 2011 in Uganda.

The last meeting between the two sides was a friendly match at Nyayo Stadium and Harambee Stars emerged victorious courtesy of an Elvis Rupia 77th minute goal.

There is an ecstatic atmosphere in Harambee Stars camp following a resounding win against Qatar six days ago.

There are no injury concerns in the Kenyan camp but winger Ayub Timbe will not be part of today’s match having failed to travel with the team to Nairobi after the Qatar assignment last Thursday.

Bandari’s Abdalla Hassan and Kariobangi Shark’s youngster Stanley Wilson have been training with the team since Friday. The two had previously trained with the team but did not make the cut for the Doha trip. Kenya Police FC skillful midfielder Tyson Otieno has been added to the fold.

Head coach Engin Firat says this is a different game altogether but there could be significant changes in the team outlook compared to the team that faced The Maroons.

“This is a new match, may be we will play with other players or a different strategy, we will see since every match has its own story. The most important thing for me is how the team is developing and how the players are reacting and adapting in the training. The players are doing there best and we will see what the future brings”, Firat told People Daily Sport. 

Ian Otieno, Patrick Matasi, Collins Sichenje, Abud Omar, Timothy Ouma, Alfred Scriven and Moses Shummah are expected to get some minutes today after sitting out entirely against Qatar.

Kenya will be facing three familiar faces in the South Sudan team, both featuring in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

Forward Tito Okello recently joined Kenya Police FC and has previously done duty for record champions Gor Mahia. Defender Rashid Toha also plays for Police FC as well as Bandari FC midfielder Jackson Dwang.

AFC Leopards midfielder Saad Musa Abdallah could have been part of the Harambee Stars opponent today but the dazzling midfielder is out nursing a knee injury, having missed the start of the season for his club.

The Bright Stars are winless in their last four outings and they are visiting Kenya having been dented by Mali following a 4-0 thrashing last Friday in a 2024 AFCON Qualifier staged in Bamako.

They have conceded 12 goals in five outings and their last victory was against Congo away last March, wining 2-1 on the road.

Italian coach Stefano Cusin has since taken charge, replacing Cameroonian Cyprian Besong who led the team against Harambee Stars three years ago. 

Match Details

Abdoulkalim Twagirumukiza from Rwanda will the center referee and will be assisted by countrymen Justin Karangwa and Raymond Bwiriza. Kenya’s Josephine Wanjiku will be the reserve referee. 

Tickets for the match will go for sh 200 for terraces and sh 500 bob for VIP.

The ticket will be sold at the Kenya Cinema and at the Kasarani Stadium Gate 2 and Gate 12.