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Harambee Stars begin their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon in Franceville on Thursday evening and here is all you need to know ahead of the crunch clash
Harambee Stars will finally come head-to-head with the Panthers of Gabon as their qualifying phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Franceville on Thursday evening.
Kenya’s recent form
It is exactly two years since Kenya last played a competitive fixture, their last match having been the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda when they won 2-1 on November 15, 2021.
After one-year in the cold following a FIFA ban, Kenya returned to action in March this year, losing 2-1 to Iran before the four-nations tournament in June where a 1-0 win over Pakistan was followed by a disheartening 1-0 loss to Mauritius.
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06:00 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat reveals why qualifying for AFCON 2025 Round of 16 is a must ahead of ‘home’ 2027 edition
Engin Firat has revealed why both qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and getting to the knockout stages of that tournament is an absolute necessity for Harambee Stars.
Three friendly matches against Qatar, South Sudan and Russia followed with a 2-1 win, 1-0 loss and 2-2 draw recorded respectively but now, it is do or die for Engine Firat’s men.
Team news
Firat has insisted he is building a team for the future and “it does not matter how they start but how they finish.” However, fans will be expecting a win in Gabon.
Kenya head into the match without a number of key players with defenders Daniel Anyembe, Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Erick ‘Ouma’ Marcelo, and first-choice goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo among the key absentees which means the tactician will have to do with a totally changed defence.
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05:30 - 16.11.2023
FKFPL Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga brimming with confidence ahead of Gabon clash
Harambee Stars' captain aims for strong away performances as Kenya begins its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification journey.
It will be interesting to see how Firat reorganises his backline having lost his trusted lieutenants but he has admitted it will be a difficult task in Franceville.
What did he say?
“This is really tough for us because they [defenders] played together, they had started enjoying playing together which means tomorrow [Thursday] we play with a team that has many players who never played together,” Firat said in Franceville on Wednesday.
“This is of course difficult but, in the end, there will be 11 Kenyan boys on the pitch who will give their best.
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15:30 - 15.11.2023
FOOTBALL Flashback: When Harambee Stars stole the show against Gabon in Libreville
In 2001 Harambee Stars faced Gabon in an unforgettable match in Libreville, sparking anticipation for their upcoming showdown after 22 years.
“This is not a sprint, it is a marathon it takes more than two years. We want to start well but how we finish is what is important.”
Head-to-head
Kenya will draw inspiration from their past meetings with Gabon since in their four meetings, they have only lost once.
The first meeting between Harambee Stars and the Panthers was in January 1997 when Kenya won 1-0 in Nairobi in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers before Gabon won the return leg 1-0 in Libreville in June that year.
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14:06 - 15.11.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba issues update on Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat 's long-awaited salary dues
Kenyan government has resolved Harambee Stars coach salary dispute, ending eight months of unpaid wages ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Both sides then faced of in an AFCON qualifier again in 2001, Kenya winning 2-1 in Nairobi in January that year while the second leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Gabon two months later.
Kenya do not have a good record on the road and given they will play back-to-back matches away, Firat will be looking to avoid defeat so that he can build on it when playing at home.
Gabon’s recent form
Another thing that will give Harambee Stars hope is that Gabon have been struggling in their recent matches as they only have one win in five games.
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05:40 - 15.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat: Harambee Stars not fully prepared for World Cup qualifiers
Harambee Stars' head coach Engin Firat has admitted they are not fully prepared for World Cup qualifiers
That win came in March when they beat Sudan 1-0 before losing by the same score line to the Sudanese in the return leg and followed it up with a 2-0 loss to DR Congo, a 2-1 defeat to Mauritania before a 1-1 draw with Guinea, showing that Kenya have a chance if they can take their chances.
Superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for Marseille, is missing after being snubbed for the encounter and so is Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina but the team is loaded with forein-based players.
When and where to watch
The match will kick off at 7PM Kenyan time in Franceville.
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17:45 - 14.11.2023
FOOTBALL Gabon suspend former Sunderland and Bordeaux duo ahead of Harambee Stars clash
Gabon Football Federation expels two key players ahead of crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kenya.
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