Kenya’s senior national team has announced friendly matches with South Sudan and Tanzania.
Jacob Mulee’s team will take on Bright Stars on March 13 in Nairobi and will then face Taifa Stars in back-to-back matches on March 15 and 18 at the same venue.
Since losing to Comoros 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Moroni’s Le Stade Omnisports Malouzini, Moroni on November 15,2020, the Harambee Stars are yet to pay a match in 2021 as coronavirus outbreak continues to restrict nations from hosting friendlies.
Suspended Football Kenya Federation CEO Barry Otieno confirmed the friendlies on Thursday saying that the fixtures form part of preparations for the upcoming final rounds of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
“We have planned three friendlies for the national team and all matches will be played at Kasarani against South Sudan on March 13, and then we face Tanzania twice on March 15 and 18,” Otieno told Goal.
“With most of the players featuring for their clubs [in FKF Premier League], we feel the three matches will also give the technical bench time to gauge their preparedness as we have two vital AFCON qualifiers coming up, and we want the team to be ready for the task.”
The final round matches of the 2021 AFCON Qualifiers will see Kenya host Egypt on March 22, 2021, before travelling to Togo for the final qualifying match on March 30, 2021
Stars will be looking to make yet another appearance at the continental showpiece, after breaking a 15-year jinx in the 2019 edition.
In the meantime, 28 local-based players have been called up and have kicked off preparations for the hard but doable task ahead.
Additional information: FKF website
