Harambee Stars players start training ahead of Russia encounter

By Peter Ochieng

The Kenya National football team, Harambee Stars on Tuesday morning kick-started preparions ahead of a friendly match against Russia on Monday.

The match which falls in the FIFA international break bracket will be played in Turkey.

14 players who formed part of the first batch that traveled on Monday, held their first training session today morning.

The players are Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Bryne Odhiambo, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Amos Nondi, Richard Odada, Anthony Teddy Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Ovella Ochieng, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso and Moses Shummah.

According to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), seven more players in the frame of Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Erick Ouma, Rooney Onyango, Masoud Juma, and Michael Olunga, are expected to link up with the team later Tuesday.

Two more players, Johnstone Omurwa and Ayub Timbe are expected in camp, in Turkey on Thursday. Harambee Stars coach Engine Firat expressed confidence that influential defender Daniel Anyembe will be available for selection, when the team faces Russia on Monday.

“We wanted to have Anyembe in camp, but his club was reluctant to release him. We have communicated to them officially and we hope that we’ll have him here in time for the match on Monday,” said coach Firat.

The defender plies his trade with Danish side Viborg FF.

“The door into and out of the national team remains open. We continue exploring options as we aim to build a strong team for the upcoming qualifiers in November,” added Firat.

Kenya faces Russia on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Antalya, Turkey, in the final test match ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers set to kick off in November.

Harambee Stars have been pooled in Group F alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi and Seychelles.