- Looking for Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea prediction? Check match preview, key stats, team news and betting insights.
- The Harambee Stars vs Equatorial Guinea FIFA international friendly match will be played at the Emir Complex in Antalya, Turkey, Friday, November 8.
- Kickoff is at 6.00 PM EAT.
The men’s national team, Harambee Stars, faces Equatorial Guinea in a promising and thrilling FIFA international friendly match this Friday evening at the Emir Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
This match serves as a crucial opportunity for Harambee Stars to fine-tune its tactics and gauge newly integrated players, as the squad begins its long-term preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
With no competitive fixtures on the immediate horizon, this encounter against Guinea is the first of two high-profile friendlies, with a follow-up match against Senegal also lined up.
ALSO READ: Harambee Stars vs Equatorial Guinea probable lineup
For coach Benni McCarthy, these games are a vital chance to reassess his squad.
He has brought in fresh faces and welcomed back some long-absent players, following the disappointment of Kenya’s AFCON 2025 dream being dashed last year, coupled with the end of their 2026 World Cup hopes in August this year.
On the other hand, Equatorial Guinea (Nzalang Nacional) will use this fixture to sharpen their skills for the upcoming AFCON 2025, which kicks off in just a month in Morocco.
They have been drawn in the challenging Group E-alongside African powerhouses Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Burundi.
This match will also be the first test for their new caretaker manager, Guillermo Ganet, who took charge after the dismissal of their successful coach, Juan Micha Obiang.
Ganet will be seeking to mold a cohesive unit during these friendlies to build a competitive team for the tournament ahead.
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What time does Harambee Stars vs Equatorial Guinea kick off?
This high-profile international friendly between Kenya and Equatorial Guinea will be played on Friday, October 14, with kick-off set for 6:00 PM EAT at the Emir Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea team news
Harambee Stars’ assistant coach, Vasili Manousakis, stated that the two friendly matches will be a cornerstone for integrating new call-ups and refreshing the squad by introducing young talent.
“It is an opportunity for the upcoming and new players to get a chance and perform because it is a friendly match and there is no pressure. We are facing two very strong opponents who are preparing for AFCON, so we definitely have our work cut out for us.
We’ve taken a slightly different approach; while they’re focusing on Afcon, we are concentrating on developing a new crop of players,” the South African said.
Some of the young players who have received their maiden call-ups are Celta Vigo attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet, Gor Mahia defender Bryton Onyona, and Nairobi United’s Kevin Otiende. All three could earn their first senior caps in these fixtures.
The squad also sees the return of players like Shariff Musa of Gor Mahia and Ovella Ochieng, who have been recalled after a lengthy hiatus.
This new direction means some key figures, such as captain Michael Olunga and the experienced Collins Sichenje, have been left out of the squad.
For their part, Equatorial Guinea has named a strong squad featuring notable players like Pedro Obiang, Saul Coco, Omar Mascarell, and Pablo Ganet.
SportPesa has over 2.5 odds at 2.34 odds.
Harambee Stars vs Equatorial Guinea: Head-to-Head and Current Form
This will be only the second-ever meeting between these two sides, having never faced each other in a competitive match.
Kenya enters this encounter holding the favorable head-to-head record, having won their sole previous meeting 1-0 in 2018 at the Kenyatta Stadium, thanks to a winning goal from Pistone Mutumba under head coach Sebastien Migne.
Equatorial Guinea’s recent competitive form has been mixed, with just two victories in their last seven outings (two wins, three draws, and two losses).
Their most recent match was a World Cup qualifier where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Liberia.
ALSO READ: Ovella Ochieng reveals the two key factors that earned him a Harambee Stars recall
As for Benni McCarthy’s squad, they have shown inconsistent form in their recent matches, recording three wins and three losses. Their most recent encounter was a 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in the World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea prediction and betting tips
This marks Benni McCarthy’s 14th match at the helm since taking over his first assignment in March of this year.
The South African international has so far secured six wins, suffered four losses, and seen three matches end in a draw.
Most of Harambee Stars’ recent fixtures have seen both teams score, with several also featuring over 2.5 goals.
While this is a friendly, both teams will be seeking bragging rights. McCarthy’s side enters as the slight favorite, but they cannot afford to underestimate Equatorial Guinea, a capable team ranked 99th in the world.
