The Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, has on Monday, September 2, 2019, kicked off preparations for the upcoming friendly match against Uganda.
13 local-based players took part in Monday’s session with Ethiopia based Patrick Matasi also featuring in the evening session at Kasarani.
“This friendly match is crucial in our preparations for the upcoming 2021 AFCON Qualifiers against Egypt and Togo in November. We have 14 players in camp at the moment. More players will be joining us in the course of the week,” said coach Francis Kimanzi.
The coach also revealed that he may have to do without the services of captain Victor Wanyama, midfielder Johanna Omollo, and defender Joseph Okumu.
“We will have a full report on whether Victor (Wanyama) will be available for the match in the course of the week. If he doesn’t make it on time then we may have to rest him on Sunday. (Joseph) Okumu hasn’t settled yet in Sweden so we will also give him some time off while Johanna (Omollo) is injured and needs time to nurse it,” clarified the coach.
“Of course they are top quality players so we will miss their services. It is, however, a good opportunity for us as the coaching staff to gauge other players we have called up,” he added.
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The friendly match is set to be played on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the MISC Kasarani starting at 4 pm.
Yet another friendly match has been lined up for the Harambee Stars next month before Kenya faces Egypt and Togo in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in November.
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