Antony ‘Teddy’ Akumu’s rallying message to Kenyans with everything set for Harambee Stars’ crucial friendly against Russia

Antony 'Teddy Akumu (R) and Hassan Abdallah (L) for Harambee Stars in a past match. Photo Credit || Timothy Olobulu

FOOTBALL Antony ‘Teddy’ Akumu’s rallying message to Kenyans with everything set for Harambee Stars’ crucial friendly against Russia

Mark Kinyanjui 21:00 - 15.10.2023

The former Gor Mahia hero has sent a message to Harambee Stars fans with the side set to face Russia on Monday.

Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu has asked Kenyans to rally behind Harambee Stars when they take on Russia in an enticing affair set to be held in Antalya in Turkey on Monday.

The Former Gor Mahia , Zesco and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, who has developed a formidable partnership with Richard Odada, is of the opinion that fans must rally behind the team no matter what ‘as usual’, remembering to credit them for making the team what it is.

“They need to keep supporting us as usual,” Akumu said. “Without them,(It would be impossible),” he added.

“They are Kenyans, this is their team. They have to support us and we hope they will not abandon us because on the ground, we will give our best.

“The result is planned but we will give it our best shot.”

Head coach Engin Firat is using the match as a build-up for the qualifiers which will test his side to the limit.

Stars will take on Ivory Coast, Gabon, the Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles with only the top nation from Group F securing an automatic ticket to the tournament set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kenya had mixed fortunes in their last two friendly matches when they faced Qatar and South Sudan in September, beating the former 2-1, before losing 1-0 to the latter.

However, Russia presents a different challenge as the European nation has a wealth of experience having featured in the World Cup and the European championships.

This is also the first meeting between the two nations, meaning Kenya will have to be at their best to contain them.

Despite being locked out of international competitions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia are undefeated since November 2021 when they lost 1-0 to Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

They have played five matches since their suspension, winning three while drawing two, showing just how difficult it will be for Firat’s men