Kenya announce three friendlies as AFCON warm-ups

FKF official Barry Otieno

Friday Feb 26, 2021. 16:00

Kenya have announced that they will host three warm-up friendlies against South Sudan and Tanzania next month, ahead of the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Football Kenya Federation CEO Barry Otieno confirmed earlier this week that the Harambee Stars will face South Sudan on March 13 Tanzania in back-to-back matches on March 15 and 18.

The encounters will serve as invaluable preparation for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Egypt in Nairobi on March 22 and Togo in Lome eight days later.

“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.”

Kenya are third in Group G of the qualifiers, five points off the pace set by leading duo Egypt and Comoros. The Harambee Stars will need to finish in the top two if they are to appear at a second successive Nations Cup finals.

Coach Jacob Mulee has already named a provisional squad of local-based players to prepare for the qualifiers, with Elvis Rupia, Henry Meja and Erick Kapaito earning their first call ups after impressing in Kenya’s top flight this season.