The Kenya National Team, Harambee Stars, kicked off preparations today, Tuesday, October 10, 2023, for the scheduled friendly match against Russia.

Fourteen players who formed the first batch that traveled on Monday held their first training session today morning.

The players include Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Bryne Odhiambo, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Amos Nondi, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Ovella Ochieng, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, and Moses Shummah.

Seven more, Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Erick Ouma, Rooney Onyango, Masoud Juma, and Michael Olunga, are expected to link up with the team later today. Johnstone Omurwa and Ayub Timbe, meanwhile, are expected in camp on Thursday.

Coach Firat has, additionally, expressed confidence that influential defender Daniel Anyembe will be available for selection when the team faces Russia on Monday. Anyembe could not be named in the traveling team as the coach had not secured his release from the club yet at the time of travel.

“We wanted to have Anyembe in camp, but his club was reluctant to release him. We have communicated to them officially and we hope that we’ll have him here in time for the match on Monday,” said coach Firat.

“The door into and out of the national team remains open. We continue exploring options as we aim to build a strong team for the upcoming qualifiers in November,” added the coach.

Kenya faces Russia on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Antalya, Turkey. The match will be the final test match ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers set to kick off in November this year.

The Harambee Stars have been pooled in Group F against Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.

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Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Bryne Odhiambo

Defenders

Joseph Stanley Okumu, Brian Mandela, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Erick Ouma, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Amos Nondi

Midfielders

Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Ovella Ochieng

Forwards

Masoud Juma, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, Moses Shummah, Michael Olunga

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