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The clash is slated for an 8 PM kick-off at the Azadi Stadium.
After 498 days of languishing in the cold, Harambee Stars will finally rise from their ruins when they take on Iran in an international friendly slated for Tuesday 28 March in Tehran.
The last time Kenya took to the field was back on Monday 17 November 2021 when they edged Rwanda 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier before FIFA slapped the country with a suspension.
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19:57 - 27.03.2023
FOOTBALL Firat: Harambee Stars possess quality to shock Iran
Stars will be facing Team Melli who are placed 24th in Fifa rankings.
The world football governing body issued an indefinite suspension for government involvement in football after former Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on grounds of misappropriation of public funds.
Kenya missed out on the opening qualifiers of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations meaning they will sit out on the continental tourney and opted for friendlies while other nations are taking part in the qualifiers.
Little has changed since the last time Harambee Stars played as they maintained their former head coach Engin Firat but a number of new players have been called up some of whom have sparked wild debate.
Harambee Stars have previously met Iran twice, losing on both occasions with their first ever encounter being back in April 1997 when they were thumped 3-0 and lost 1-0 in March 2009.
Kenya head coach Engin Firat was well aware of the magnanimous task at hand as they take on Asia’s second-best side.
“The boys have trained well, they will be ready, we face a very strong team who will play with all their star players as they will be a full squad. For us, it's to see what we can do under pressure against a top team and what we have to learn.
The whole trip is an experience for everybody to get better, it's not only what is going on, on the field but also outside. Most of the boys forget to play together because they see each other for the first time in camp. Our aim is not friendly games but to go to AFCON," said Firat.
Kenya will look up to their talisman Michael Olunga in the clash who is the current top scorer of the Qatar Stars League following an impeccable season with Al Duhail.
Iran, on the other hand, are rumored to be planning to field a second-string side against Kenya with head coach Amir Ghalenoei hinting that he could hand his fringe players a chance.
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09:45 - 27.03.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars predicted XI vs Iran: Firat to start Scriven, drop Omar
Pulse Sports predicts Kenya's line up ahead of the first international engagement since the suspension was lifted.
"The head coach of the national team plans to change the composition of Iran for the match against Kenya and will come to the field with a new lineup in this game,” said Ghalenoei.
The clash is slated for an 8 PM kick-off at the Azadi Stadium.
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