Kenya_national_football_team

Kenya national football team

Kenya national football team

Men's association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Kenya women's national football team.

The Kenya national football team, also known as the Harambee Stars represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). It is colloquially known as Harambee Stars and plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...

Name

The Kenya national football team is known as The Harambee Stars.[3][4] Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or development activities. The word means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.[5][6]

History

FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for three months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.[7]

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was again suspended from international football, for failing to fulfill a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complies with the agreements previously reached.[7][8]

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time Sébastien Migné was appointed in May 2018,[9] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[10]

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team will use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.[11][12]

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[13]

On 14 January 2023, Football Kenya Federation stated that it had suspended 14 players, including six players from Zoo Kericho FC and two coaches for match-fixing allegations.[14][15]

Coaches

Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However dissension regarding his managerial skills, and there was a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar[16] and he was forced out. In 1963, not longer after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;[17] however, he disappeared just hours before a Jamhuri Day friendly against reigning champions Ghana in 1965. His absence was never explained, and Batchelor was called in as an emergency replacement. This match was the team's worst defeat, with a final score of 13–2 against Ghana. At the time, the Ghanaians were a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong. Two days later, after Batchelor had reorganised the team, the Kenyans and Ghanaians drew in a friendly match.[18]

Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):[19][17]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Kenya national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

28 March Friendly Iran  2–1  Kenya Tehran, Iran
Stadium: Azadi Stadium
14 June 2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup Pakistan  0–1  Kenya Saint Pierre, Mauritius
15:00 Moses 18' Stadium: Stade de Cote d'Or
Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)
18 June 2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup Mauritius  1–0  Kenya Saint Pierre
15:30 Saramandif 22' Stadium: Stade de Cote d'Or
Referee: Ibrahim Ben Tsimanohitsy (Madagascar)
7 September Friendly Qatar  1–2  Kenya Al Wakrah, Qatar
 Report
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
12 September Friendly Kenya  0–1  South Sudan Nairobi, Kenya
Report
Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre
Referee: Abdoul Karim Twagirumukiza (Rwanda)
16 October Friendly Russia  2–2  Kenya Aksu, Turkey
 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Gabon  2–1  Kenya Franceville, Gabon
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Franceville
Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)
20 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Seychelles  0–5  Kenya Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny
Referee: Tawel Younoussa Camara (Guinea)

2024

23 March Friendly Malawi  0–4  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
26 March Friendly Zimbabwe  1–3  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Gabon and Seychelles on 16 and 20 November 2023.[20]

Caps and goals are correct as of 20 November 2023, after the match against Seychelles.

More information No., Pos. ...

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...

Records

As of 26 March 2024[21]
Players in bold are still active with Kenya.

Most appearances

More information Rank, Player ...

Top goalscorers

More information Rank, Player ...

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup, Qualification ...

Africa Cup of Nations

More information Year, Round ...

African Games

More information Year, Round ...

CECAFA Cup

References

  1. [1]
    "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. [2]
    Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  3. [3]
    "The Harambee Stars (official)". Facebook.
  4. [4]
    "Harambee Stars Archives". Football Kenya Federation. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. [5]
    Musau, Mwende Mutuli (5 October 2020). "Harambee: The law of generosity that rules Kenya". BBC News.
  6. [6]
    Ng'ethe, Njuguna (1983). "Politics, Ideology and the Underprivileged: The Origins and Nature of the Harambee Phenomenon in Kenya". Journal of Eastern African Research & Development. 13: 150–170. JSTOR 24325584.
  7. [7]
    "FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  8. [8]
    Wandera, Gilbert (25 October 2006). "FIFA Suspends Kenya Indefinitely". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com – The East African Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  9. [9]
    Chweya, Edward (20 February 2016). "New FKF president Nick Mwendwa sacks Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson". Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  10. [10]
    "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Kenya – Men's". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  11. [11]
    "FKF unveils new kits in Ksh. 75M deal with Mafro Sports" (video). NTV Kenya. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2017 – via YouTube.
  12. [12]
    "Kenya 2017–18 Mafro Sports Kits". Todo Sobre Camisetas (in Spanish). 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  13. [13]
    "2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Kenya secure shock win over Ghana in qualifiers". BBC Sport. 8 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Kenya suspends 16 footballers, coaches over fixing allegations". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  15. [15]
    Communications, F. K. F. (13 January 2023). "Provisional Suspension of Individuals Involved in Match Fixing". Football Kenya Federation. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  16. [16]
    Mballa, Tony (22 October 2020). "When will Kenya get it right in coaches' revolving door". The Star. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  17. [17]
    "Profiles of Kenya Harambee stars coaches". Kenya Football Page. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  18. [18]
    "Remembering the football debacle of 1965 when Ghana thumped Kenya". Nation. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  19. [19]
    "Kenya National Team Coaches". rsssf.org. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  20. [20]
    "Final Squad". Facebook. Football Kenya Federation.
  21. [21]
    Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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