Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has termed the Qatar friendly match tomorrow as a key measurer of the team’s levels thus far before the start of the ‘meaningful’ World Cup Qualifiers in November.

Kenya will face the 2022 World Cup hosts for the first time at the Al Janoub Stadium starting 6:30 PM local time.

“This kind of games are so important for the country football, forget the national team because the reality is that Kenyan football is not really known around the world.This is a big opportunity to show who we are,this means not only to the national team but also the club football in Qatar.If we give a good show together with the impression that Olunga has shown in Qatar,it can open a lot of doors for our players”,Firat said.

The Turkish coach further explained winger Ayub Timbe’s recall to the national team after a three year hiatus,having last featured against Comoros in November 2020.

“I have been following Ayub for nearly two years now, I spoke with him and I was not happy with his fitness previously.He had a difficult time when he moved to Thailand but this season when he went back to China,he had a good preparation and got fit and I know he can help us.Our plan was to get Ayub last June but he had a match on June 12 and it was 26 hours traveling from China and therefore it was not possible for him to travel.I am always in contact with Ayub and I hope from now on it will be easier”.

Ayub Masika who plays in China with second division side Nanjing City will have to pass a late fitness test today to determine his involvement tomorrow against The Maroons after he was injured last Friday before his clubs league game.

Day three of the Harambee Stars camp at Kasarani was near full house yesterday with the arrival of defenders Eric Ouma,Daniel Anyembe,Brian Mandela and Joseph Okumu.

Richard Odada, Johnstone Omurwa, Timothy Ouma and Collins Sichenje were all involved in the evening training session.

Harambee Stars jetted out for Doha 1:00 AM today (Wednesday) and will have a feel of the match day venue later in the evening ahead tomorrow’s duty for the country.