The Kenya National team, Harambee Stars, alongside the U20 Rising Stars, safely arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 10 am. Gor Mahia’s Shariff Musa and AFC Leopard’s Vincent Mahiga have also joined the Harambee Stars travelling squad.
This is ahead of the scheduled four-nation tournament to be staged at the Bingu National Stadium. The tournament shall pit Kenya against hosts Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Rising Stars shall be the first to take to the pitch on Friday, March 22, 2024, against Zimbabwe. They will thereafter take on hosts Malawi on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Harambee Stars, in the meantime, will play hosts Malawi in the semifinals of the competition on Saturday, March 24, 2024, at the Bingu National Stadium. The third-place playoff and finals have been scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the same venue.
Stars coach Engin Firat shall be using the competition to prepare a team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June. The window also offers the coach an opportunity to play more matches and try out different options within the short international window.
The Rising Stars, in the meantime, shall have a chance to showcase their potential in the competition. The team, which is scheduled to play even more international matches this year, is envisioned to be a conveyor belt of talent to the senior teams.
Fixtures
Harambee Stars Fixtures
Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Zambia vs Zimbabwe (Bingu National Stadium, 2 pm)
- Malawi vs Kenya (Bingu National Stadium, 2 pm)
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
- Third place play-off | Loser Match 1 vs Loser Match 2 | Bingu National Stadium, 2 pm
- Final | Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 | Bingu National Stadium, 5 pm
Rising Stars Fixtures
Friday, March 22, 2024
Kenya vs Zimbabwe (Bingu National Stadium, 3 pm)
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Malawi vs. Kenya (Bingu National Stadium, 3 pm)
Rising Stars Final Squad
Goalkeepers
Ibrahim Wanzala, Issa Emuria,
Defenders
Baron Ochieng, Junior Masinza, Faiz Ouma, Manzur Okwaro, Paul Ochuoga, Joshua Onyango, Joseph Bate, Collins Ochieng
Midfielders
Stanley Wilson, Timothy Noor, Sigmunn Maina, Andres Odhiambo, Ryan Ogam, Dalphene Ezekiah, Hassan Beja, Linus Munyao, Tyrone Kariuki, James Gachago, Elly Owande
Forwards
Christopher Koloti, Syphas Otieno
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Harambee Stars Final Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi
Defenders
Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje,Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Geoffrey Ochieng
Midfielders
Chrispine Erambo, Richard Odada,Kenneth Muguna, Kaycie Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Anthony Akumu, Shariff Musa
Forwards
Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, John Avire