Key trio to link up with Harambee Stars in Malawi for World Cup qualifiers

Three pivotal players are anticipated to bolster Harambee Stars in Malawi ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers slated for June.

Captain Michael Olunga, Richard Odada, and Daniel Anyembe are set to fly directly to Malawi from their respective bases.

Harambee Stars expecting Timbe

Engaged with their clubs, they won’t participate in the ongoing training sessions in the country. However, Ayub Timbe, stationed in Azerbaijan, is slated for a late arrival just before the team’s departure.

“Ayub Timbe, based in Azerbaijan, is expected to link up with the team before they travel to Malawi. At the same time, Richard Odada, Daniel Anyembe and Captain Michael Olunga are set to fly directly from their bases to Malawi,” FKF announced.

The team commenced preparations for the qualifiers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nairobi. Despite being the home team, Harambee Stars will contest both matches at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.

This shift is due to the unavailability of Nyayo National Stadium and Kasarani Stadium, the only stadiums in Kenya provisionally approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for international matches.

Both stadiums are undergoing renovation ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Currently placed third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Kenya has accumulated three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.

The road to the 48-team World Cup, spread across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, remains challenging.

Only the group’s top team, consisting of Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya, will secure direct qualification.

Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will compete in a playoff, determining CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, ultimately deciding the last two FIFA World Cup berths.

Harambee Stars Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)

Defenders

Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Brian Okoth (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany)

Midfielders

John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)

Forwards

John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)

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