Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has urged fans to focus on the overall points tally at the end of the six-match campaign, stressing that the final standings matter most in their quest for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification.
As the team prepares for their upcoming matches, Firat faces challenges with several players doubtful and others left out due to clearance issues.
Harambee Stars coach hope
Despite these hurdles, the coach is confident in the squad available, expressing hope that the team will be complete for the final qualifiers.
“The boys who are here will fight every second, and we will try our best. It is six matches and not just two, so we hope that in November, we will have the whole squad together—you never know,” Firat stated.
He further emphasized that while the results of the first two matches are important, it is the points accumulated by the final day of the qualifiers that will determine their success.
“People have to understand that it is not important what we do in the first two matches; what is important is the points we will have at the last match,” Firat added.
The Harambee Stars squad arrived in Uganda this Monday to prepare for their 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia, scheduled for September 6 and 10, 2024.
The traveling team includes AFC Leopards players Levis Opiyo and Victor Omune, the latter recently named Player of the Season for 2023/24. Also included in the squad are Sylvester Owino, Amos Nondi, and Eric Johana.
St. Mirren striker Jonah Ayunga returns to the squad after missing the previous international window. According to the Football Kenya Federation, Captain Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Eric Ouma, Joseph Okumu, and Richard Odada are set to join the team in Uganda.
Notable absentees from the final list include Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Patrick Otieno (KCB), and Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards).
Harambee Stars
Goalkeepers
Levis Opiyo, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi
Defenders
Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija
Midfielders
Chris Erambo, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Eric Johanna, Ronney Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma
Forwards
John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, Victor Omune
