Why Kenya will host its World Cup qualifiers in Malawi

• Kenya faces Ivory Coast and Burundi
• The two matches will be played in Lilongwe
• Coach Engin Firat has already called a provisional team

Kenya’s Harambee Stars will host its next two World Cup qualifiers against African champions Ivory Coast and Burundi in Malawi, the Football Kenya Federation has announced. According to a statement from the Football Kenya Federation, this has been occasioned by the fact that Kenya currently does not have a FIFA approved stadium to host any international matches.

The country has only two international stadia, the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, and the Nyayo National Stadium, which are both closed for renovations.

The Kasarani Stadium, which has been earmarked as one of the probable hosts for the 2027 African Cup of Nations, which Kenya is co-hosting with neighbors Uganda and Tanzania was closed in December last year to undergo major renovations.

The Nyayo National Stadium has been recently closed down, also for repairs, in anticipation for the country hosting the next Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) next year.

“We did our best to have a venue close to Kenya. We got in touch with the Federations of Tanzania and Uganda, but it was impossible to get a venue there because they are booked,” said FKF President Nick Mwendwa, speaking to the Federation’s official website.

Kenya will miss the 12^th man advantage

Action between Harambee Stars and Iran during a past friendly match. PHOTO/FKF

“Every team always wishes to play their home matches at home. This is something I would not have wanted (to play home matches away from home). Nonetheless, I am appealing to Kenyans to remain positive and support the team,” Mwendwa added.

The news of Stars hosting its two matches away from home has been received with a lot of backlash, especially noting that the country will lose its home ground advantage with the 12^th man clearly missing from action.

Head coach Engin Firat says he is equally frustrated, but has vowed that the team will do its best to win the two matches and put the World Cup dream riding on.

“Of course I would have liked to play these two matches here at home, but there is nothing we can do. We don’t have a stadium. Every coach wants to have their fans behind the team because it pushes them a lot, But now we can’t do much about it because we find ourselves in this situation,” the tactician noted.

Harambee Stars however hopes that the good luck charm they enjoyed in Malawi during the last international break can spur them once again. Harambee Stars played a four-nation tournament against hosts Malawi and Zambia, winning the Cup.

Meanwhile, Firat has called up a preliminary squad of players into camp, that includes three players of Kenyan origin, who have lived in Europe.

Knost makes his maiden Stars call

Defender Tobias Knost in action for his German side. PHOTO/Courtesy

Defender Tobias Knost, who plies his trade in Germany with SV Verl and Bruce Kamau, who features for Perth Glory in Australia as well as Adam Wilson, who plays for Bradford City in England, have been handed their maiden national team calls.

Knost was born to a Kenyan mother in Germany and is eligible to play for the Harambee Stars. He has only featured for the German youth teams. Kamau, who was born in Kenya but moved to Australia at a young age, has been on the national team radar for years, and has finally agreed to the call.

Just like Knost, he has featured for the Australian Youth teams. It is the same case for Wilson, who was born in England, but has a Kenyan father. He is 24 years old.

The tactician has also handed a debut call to Kenya Police FC defender Brian Otieno. The former FC Talanta man, who joined Police in mid-season has been a revelation for the side, commanding a starting role and putting seasoned players like David Ochieng on the bench.

Also handed a maiden call up is former Gor Mahia midfielder John Ochieng, who plays in Zambia with top flight side Zanaco. Ochieng has enjoyed two decent seasons since making the move and now has his chance to prove it with the national team.

Harambee Stars has played two matches so far, losing 2-1 to Gabon and thrashing Seychelles 5-0.

Provisional Squad

Harambee Stars players line up before their match against Malawi. PHOTO/FKF

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)

Defenders

Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Brian Okoth (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany)

Midfielders

John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)

Forwards

John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)