Indian National Football Team: Know Your Rivals - Kenya

Country:  Kenya

FIFA Ranking: 111

Nickname: Harambee Stars

Last official match played:  Kenya 1-0 Equatorial Guinea (28 May 2018, Machakos)

Coach:  Sébastien Migné

A member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Kenya was a regional powerhouse in football. However, since the 2004 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the national team hasn’t qualified for any major international tournament.

Due to the Kenyan government’s intervention in football activities in 2004, FIFA had suspended the Kenya Football Federation (KFF)  but the situation was reversed after the country accepted to draw up new statutes. Two years later, in October 2006, the world football governing body imposed another ban after Kenya failed to respect signed agreements to resolve the recurrent problems in the country's federation.

One of the major issues was the presence of two separate elite leagues within the country, which directly opposed FIFA’s desires. FIFA wanted Kenya Premier League Limited (KPL) to run a league featuring 18 clubs but the KFF set up a company, KFF PL, to run a 20-team competition. The international ban was later lifted by FIFA’s Emergency Committee in March 2007.

Kenya has featured a total of five times in AFCON, with their best finish being the group stages in all of their five attempts - 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 2004. They, however, have a good record in CECAFA Cup, the oldest football tournament in Africa which includes national teams from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations. Kenya are seven-time winners of the contest and are also reigning champions.

Currently led by Sebastian Migne, who was appointed as the gaffer in May this year, Kenya participated in two friendlies before flying to India for the Intercontinental Cup. They played against Swaziland and Equatorial Guinea on May 25 and May 28 respectively, bowing down 0-1 to Swaziland and winning 1-0 against Equatorial Guinea.
 

Mohammed Musa:  The 26-year-old Gor Mahia defender will be leading the Harambee Stars in the upcoming Intercontinental Cup starting from June 1. He is one of the most experienced players in this young Kenyan squad and will play a key role in their backline. He was an important part of the Gor Mahia side in their 2017 Kenyan Premier League triumph.

John Makwatta : Joh Makwatta is a star member of the travelling Harambee Stars squad for the Intercontinental Cup. The striker had won the top scorer's award in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League with 15 goals. He is currently playing for Zambian club Buildcon FC.

 

GOALKEEPERS: Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia);

DEFENDERS:  Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohammed (Unattached), Haron Shakava (Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Bolton Omwenga, Erick Ouma, Michael Kibwage (AFC Leopards), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United);

MIDFIELDERS: Chrispin Oduor (Mathare United), Humphrey Mieno (Gor Mahia), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards), Vincent Wasambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Marvin Omondi (AFC Leopards);

FORWARDS:  Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks), Timothy Otieno (Tusker), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC).