AFCON 2019: Harambee Stars Jet Out to Ghana

The Kenya national team left for Ghana in the early hours of Thursday morning ahead of their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier that will be played on Saturday 23^rd March.

Harambee Stars left aboard a chartered Kenya Airways flight and are expected in Accra at 1100hrs Kenyan time.

Jesse Were, who was called as a replacement to injured Japan-based forward Michael Olunga, did not make the traveling party which saw Sebastien Migne carry 22 players.

Coach Migne said they will be looking to give a good account of themselves ahead of the Cup of Nations finals.

Both Kenya and Ghana have already qualified for the continental showpiece that goes down in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.

“We are not under pressure. Even if it were a crucial qualification match, we still would have taken it easy. This will be a chance for me to gauge the players ahead of AFCON,” said coach Migné.

Kenya currently top Group F with seven points, a point above second-placed Ghana and six points clear of third-placed Ethiopia.

The Harambee Stars will participate in their sixth AFCON tournament later this year and their first since featuring at the 2004 showpiece hosted in Tunisia.

Kenya beat Ghana 1-0 in Nairobi last year thanks to a wonderful strike by Michael Olunga in the first-half of the match.

Travelling squad

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (St Georges, Ethiopia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders: Erick “Marcelo” Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg, South Africa), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya)

Midfielders: Erick Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ismael Gonzales (UD Las Palmas B, Spain), Paul Were (Trikala, Greece), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Christopher Tangen Mbamba (Oskarshamns, Sweden), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia)

Forwards: Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz), Pistone Mutamba (Sofapaka), Masud Juma (Al Nassr, Libya)