Masoud Juma joins Harambee Stars as team prepares for 2025 AFCON qualifiers

By Robert Mutasi 

Harambee Stars, the national football team of Kenya, is still strengthening their squad in preparation for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers. 

Al-Jabalain forward Masoud Juma has officially joined the Harambee Stars, offering an attacking option to coach Engin Firat.

Harambee Stars have been stepping up their training sessions in the wake of an impending crucial doubleheader against Cameroon.

Firat has oozed confidence in the team's preparations, with the return of key defenders Joseph Okumu and Ayub Timbe. 

Both players are now back in training after recovering from injuries and may be available for the latter stages of the qualifiers.

"They have just resumed training and may be available for our last leg of the qualifiers," Firat said when asked about Timbe and Okumu.

He hopes the two players will help in strengthening Kenya's defenses as he hunts for a place in the continental tournament.

The arrival of the team's captain, Michael Olunga, has given further impetus to Kenya's preparations. 

The prolific forward, who turns out for Qatar's Al-Duhail SC, has traveled to Kenya to link up with his teammates ahead of the matches.

The presence of Olunga is bound to boost their confidence, as they gird their loins for the tough fixtures.

The Harambee Stars leave for Cameroon on Tuesday to confront the Indomitable Lions in Yaoundé.

This tie, the first leg of the two-game series, assumes centre stage this Friday.

Four days later, the return leg will be staged in Kampala, Uganda.

These two matches are so important because the Kenyan team is trying to secure its slot in the 2025 AFCON tournament, a prestigious event which for a long time the country has struggled to qualify for.

With added strength from Olunga, Juma, and probably Okumu and Timbe, who might return, Kenya's squad seems set for the upcoming fixtures.

Coach Firat seemed to enjoy his confidence in the team for good performances against hard opponents while insisting they needed to be focused and ensure discipline on the pitch.

The Harambee Stars' fans continued with high expectations of this new-look squad, full of experienced players and fresh talent that could enable Kenya to achieve its objective of qualifying into the AFCON tournament in 2025.