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Why Namwamba is confident Harambee Stars will deliver in WC qualifiers

Why Namwamba is confident Harambee Stars will deliver in WC qualifiers
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, FKF President Nick Mwendwa and Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat. PHOTO/(@Harambee__Stars)/X

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba is confident that Harambee Stars will deliver in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Head coach Engin Firat left the country for Gabon with a 24-man squad and was seen off by Namwamba, who explained why he has confidence in the national side.

Confident Namwamba

The CS revealed that the allowances of the players and the outstanding salaries for the head coach have been settled.

“We believe in the boys; we have paid them all allowances, settled the coach’s salaries, and arranged for a chartered plane. I have told them to come back with the required results. I believe in Harambee Stars.

“I am here to assure the boys and all Kenyans that we are behind them. As a government, we have supported them in friendlies,” Namwamba told the media.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba see off Harambee Stars at JKIA for World Cup qualifiers. PHOTO/(@Harambee__Stars)/X

Harambee Stars will play Gabon on Thursday, November 17, 2023, at the Stade de la Renovation de Franceville before their next qualifier against Seychelles on Monday, November 20, in Ivory Coast.

The qualifiers mean that Harambee Stars will be engaged in competitive action for the first time in over two years. The last time Kenya played in a competitive game was in 2021, during a World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Meanwhile, in Firat’s squad, two players who have never played for Kenya were included and could make their debuts. Nabil Kibunguchy, who is based in the US and KCB’s Haniff Wesonga are the players who are eyeing Harambee Stars debuts.

However, Firat will have to deal with the absence of his regular stars; Joseph Okumu, Collins Sichenje, Daniel Anyembe, and Brian Mandela, who are injured.

Harambee Stars final squad

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Joseph Ochuka, and Ian Otieno

Defenders: Nabi Kibunguchy, Haniff Wesonga, Daniel Sakari, Dennis Nganga, Johnstone Omurwa, Abud Omar, Amos Nondi, and Eric Ouma

Midfielders: Ayub Masika, Alfred Scriven, Duke Abuya, Rooney Onyango, Duncan Otieno, Richard Odada, Kenneth Muguna, Anthony Akumu, Timothy Ouma, and Eric Johanna

Forwards: Masud Juma, Michael Olunga, and Benson Omala

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