The national men’s football team Harambee Stars is expected to be near full house yesterday evening ahead of the Doha duty against the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar this Thursday.

All the five players who features in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League reported to the residential camp in Nairobi yesterday.

Kenya Police FC quadruple of goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, defenders David Cheche and Aboud Omar led the local contingent to the camp with Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo joining the fold after receiving a late call up last week. Kenneth Muguna is, however, a doubt after he suffered an injury on Saturday during a league match between Police and Posta Rangers and he could be replaced.

Last season’s FKF Premier League top scorer Elvis Rupia who is now part the foreign based players after sealing a big money move to Tanzania’s Singida from Police FC is also an early arrival for the Stars training.

Stars plying their trades abroad were set to report to camp at least by today afternoon and are expected to be part of light evening training at the Kasarani a Stadium.

The team will jet out for Doha 1am on Wednesday for the 3pm kick-off game on Thursday against Qatar that is ranked 59th globally on the FIFA standings released last July.

In March, head coach Engin Firat requested local football supporters to give him time to solidify the team so as they can deliver desired outcomes in meaningful matches like the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The Turkish coach will mark his ninth and tenth match in charge of Harambee Stars as he leads the home boys against a good ranked Qatar on September 7 and South Sudan five days later.

Harambee Stars has already played three friendly games since the return of international football after the painful FIFA suspension last year, losing 2-1 against regular World Cup participants Iran, winning 1-0 against Pakistan and going down to lowly Mauritius last June.

Having downsized his squad and found his ‘base’ ahead of the two build up games, coach Firat will be plotting for winning patterns as the crucial World Cup Qualifiers nears.

Kenya will commence their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers away to Gabon and Seychelles on November 13 and 20 respectively before staging the first home fixture against Burundi in March 2024.

The fixture is a major reprieve to the country due lack of a FIFA or CAF approved venue to host the games and the state has been given time to improve Kasarani and Nyayo to required levels before a date with Burundi next year.