Harambee Stars are set to lock horns against South Sudan in a must-win African Nations Championships (CHAN)2024 qualifying game on Sunday evening at the Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
The Engin Firat-coached side will be seeking to overturn their first leg defeat in order to advance to the next round of the qualifiers where they are expected to face either Djibouti or Rwanda.
Kenya suffered an agonizing 2-0 defeat in the first leg played six days ago in Juba thanks to second half goals from Ezbon Malish and Yohanna Juba.
Speaking ahead of the return fixture that will be played from 4 pm, Firat expressed confidence in beating the Bright Stars.
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“I think it is easier for us to play the next game because in the last one we had only one training session before we played the game. Especially if you have so many players who have never played together, it was a really serious problem.
So this time we had more time with the players together, we changed also a lot of players and I think we will have a better result on Sunday,” he stated.
On his part, reliable midfielder Austin Odhiambo pointed out the lack of support from the home fans as one of the challenges they will have to overcome.
“It is a negative one because we always want to play in front of our fans. That is every player’s dream to play in front of their fans, so to me, I think it is a negative side. I believe at some point it will come and we will be playing our matches at home.
We need that support from our home fans, it will really help us a lot. If you look at our first leg game, that was the challenge in the away match. They had a lot of support,” explained the Gor Mahia player.
Kenya has hosted most of its games in Uganda in recent months due to the lack of a standard stadium at home.
The government is currently constructing one stadium and repairing two others ahead of the 2025 CHAN and the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.
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Harambee Stars squad
Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Faruk Shikalo (KCB)
Defenders: Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari), Ian Karani (Kariobangi Sharks), David Ochieng (Kenya Police FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Charles Momanyi (Tusker FC)
Midfielders: Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Issa Lumumba (Ulinzi Stars), Fidel Origa (Bandari), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker FC), Vincent Owino (Nairobi City Stars), Caleb Olilo (Posta Rangers), Tyson Otieno (Kenya Police FC), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Mooitian Leshan (Ulinzi Stars)
Forwards: Patrick Otieno (KCB), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shuma (Kakamega Homeboyz), Francis Kahiro (KCB)
