Kenya will fancy their chances of an upset in Group J having come close to qualifying for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
That was under German coach Antoine Hey, who has since been replaced by his assistant Twahir Muhiddin, the man tasked with taking the side to Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
There is talent to work with there, though the loss of veteran midfielder-cum-defender Musa Otieno to retirement is a major blow.
The emergence of midfielder McDonald Mariga at Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan is exciting for fans, while striker Dennis Oliech (Auxerre, France) remains a key source of goals.
Kenya have made five previous appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, but have never been passed the first round of the competition, and the last of these was in 2004.
Briefly barred by FIFA for government interference in the running of the game a few years ago, they are now well and truly back in the fold and would dearly love to earn a repeat of their appearance at the finals in Tunisia six years ago.
Eric Ouma of Kenya challenged by Lamine Gassama of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ismaila Sarr of Senegal challenged by Eric Ouma of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sadio Mane of Senegal challenged by Eric Ouma of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya challenged by Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya challenged by Kalidou Koulibaly (r) and Johanna Omolo of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya challenged by Lamine Gassama of Senegal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ismaila Sarr of Senegal challenged by Eric Ouma of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Papa Alioune Ndiaye of Senegal fouled by Johanna Omolo of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Cheikhou Kouyate of Senegal clears ball from Michael Olunga of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Musa Mohamed of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Kenya and Senegal at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo on the 01 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, head coach of Kenya chat to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Kenya at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Johanna Omolo of Kenya chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Kenya at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Johanna Omolo of Kenya chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Kenya at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, head coach of Kenya chat to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Kenya at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Johanna Omolo of Kenya chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Kenya at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya receives the Total Man of the Match award after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya celebrates goal with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Francis Kahata of Kenya challenged by Erasto Nyoni of Tanzania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Victor Wanyama of Kenya challenged by Mudathir Yahya of Tanzania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Eric Ouma of Kenya challenged by Hassan Ramadan of Tanzania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Eric Ouma of Kenya challenged by Thomas Ulimwengu of Tanzania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Erasto Nyoni of Tanzania challenged by Johanna Omolo of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kenya Team pictures during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
General view of 30 June Stadium before kickoff of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Kenya and Tanzania at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 27 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya and Michael Olunga of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Johanna Omolo of Kenya challenged by Mohamed Belaili of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Johanna Omolo of Kenya challenged by Ismael Bennacer of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ismael Bennacer of Algeria challenged by Masika Ayub of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Riyad Mahrez of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Riyad Mahrez of Algeria challenged by Aboud Omar of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Masika Ayub of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Masika Ayub of Kenya challenges Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Michael Olunga of Kenya wins header against Adlane Guedioura of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Riyad Mahrez of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Aboud Omar of Kenya challenged by Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Riyad Mahrez of Algeria challenged by Aboud Omar of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Masika Ayub of Kenya challenged by Youcef Atal and Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Baghdad Bounedjah of Algeria score a penalty pass Matasi Patrick of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adlane Guedioura of Algeria challenged by Francis Kahata of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Youcef Atal of Algeria wins header against Masika Ayub of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Youcef Atal of Algeria tackles Masika Ayub of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Adlane Guedioura of Algeria clears ball away during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Algeria and Kenya at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Kenya players during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya training session at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Kenya players during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya training session at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Kenya players during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya training session at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Kenya players during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya training session at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Kenya players during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya training session at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Victor Wanyama of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Victor Wanyama of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Migne, coach of Kenya and Victor Wanyama of Kenya during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Kenya press conference at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 22 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
epa07005996 Kenya's Johanna Omondi (L) and Ghana's Ebenezer Ofori (R) fight for the ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match between Kenya and Ghana at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, 08 September 2018. EPA/Daniel Irungu
epa07005997 Kenya's Ismael Athuman (L) in action during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match between Kenya and Ghana at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, 08 September 2018. EPA/Daniel Irungu
epa07005898 Kenya's Philemon Otieno (L) and Ghana's Christian Atsu (R) fight for the ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match between Kenya and Ghana at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, 08 September 2018. EPA/Daniel Irungu
Zambian captain Rainford Kalaba in a tussle with Anthony Agay Akumu during the AFCON Qualifier match between Zambia and Kenya 04 September 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Pic/ BackpagePix
Zamnian captain Rainford Kalaba picke the ball from the net after scoring an equalizer in the 89 th minute during the AFCON Qualifier match between Zambia and Kenya 04 September 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Pic/ BackpagePix
Zambian striker Winstone Kalengo is beaten to ball by Kenyan goalkeeper Bonface Oluach during the AFCON Qualifier match between Zambia and Kenya 04 September 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Pic/ BackpagePix
Zambia midfielder Lubambo Musonda takes on Kenya defender Abud Omar Khamisi during the AFCON Qualifier match between Zambia and Kenya 04 September 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Pic/ BackpagePix
Zambia captain Rainford Kalaba takes on Kenyan defender Mayeko Musa Mohamed during the AFCON Qualifier match between Zambia and Kenya 04 September 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Pic/ BackpagePix
Abud Omar of Kenya battles with Nkau Lerothou of Lesotho during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
David Ochiang of Kenya battles with Jane Tsothleo of Lesotho during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Jacob Keli of Kenya dejected after missing the final chance for his team during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Jacob Keli of Kenya dejected after missing the final chance for his team during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Victor Wanyama of Kenya battles with Motlalepule Mofolo of Lesotho during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Victor Wanyama of Kenya battles with Motlalepule Mofolo of Lesotho during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Nyambura Franas of Kenya battles with Motlalepule Mofolo of Lesotho during the AFCON Qualifier match between Lesotho and Kenya on the 20 July 2014 at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru
Kenya
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