)
Firat believes that the group Kenya has been placed in is 'very balanced' with all teams capable of beating each other at any given perio.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat believes that Kenya have a ‘high probability’ of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after getting placed into ‘a very balanced’ group.
In June, Kenya were placed in group F, alongside Seychelles, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Burundi and Gabon.
)
18:00 - 29.08.2023
Gor Mahia attacking midfielder receives late Harambee Stars call-up
The creative midfielder will be given a chance to impress when Kenya play Qatar and South Sudan next month.
Speaking to the Demirören News Agency, Firat said that although Ivory Coast seems to be the favorites, the teams placed in that group could beat each other on any given day and qualify for the World Cup in four years’ time.
"Even though Ivory Coast seems to be the favorite, we fell into a very balanced group,” Firat said.
“ Everyone seems to be able to beat anyone. This created an advantage for us. I am very hopeful about the future. I think we have a high probability of going to the World Cup.”
)
10:00 - 20.07.2023
OPINION: Kenya must invest in youth and grassroots football to become a regular World Cup and AFCON side. This is why
If Harambee Stars is to qualify for its first ever World Cup and always go far at the AFCON, this is why it must invest in youth and grassroots football.
On Monday, Firat named the provisional 26-man-squad for Harambee Stars’ next assignments, where they will play 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in Doha on September 7, before returning to Nairobi to face South Sudan on 12 September.
The Turkish head coach is trying to build a team that will be competitive enough in time for the start of the qualifiers in November, having been banned from taking part in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers owing to the year-long ban imposed by the country’s football by FIFA due to government interference in 2022.
The winners of each group will directly qualify for the tournament. Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will advance to the CAF Play-Off tournament, whose winner shall secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Firat is seemingly on a diplomatic mission to help grow Kenyan football, having already made arrangements for the team to play against Iran in March, and now Qatar.
Pulse Sports Kenya also understands that a potential friendly match against Turkey could be on the cards sometime next year.
)
10:00 - 28.08.2023
FKF-PL season opener: Advantage Tusker, more work to do for Gor Mahia & Police but Leopards, Shabana fans will need to be patient
Tusker were among three teams that won on matchday one as Gor Mahia were held by Sofapaka but a lack of goals for AFC Leopards and Shabana should be a concern
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)