Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is confident his team will cruise past Zimbabwe and Namibia in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
Stars will lock horns with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda, on September 4 and face Namibia’s Brave Warriors at the Stade Mandela National Stadium in South Africa six days later.
Kenya will host their home matches away due to lack of a Caf-certified facility in Kenya.
Harambee Stars last played a competitive match in Kenya in 2021 and have since been forced to identify alternative venues owing to the redevelopments currently taking place at Moi Stadium, Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium.
Firat said he boasts sufficient depth to coast to victory, adding that his charges have accumulated adequate experience and expertise to deliver the desired results.
Firat said he will tinker with his usual lineup only if necessary. Foreign-based luminaries are expected to start streaming into the country ahead of the tie.
“We are eying a win against Zimbabwe. We have played against them before and, unless they have overhauled their approach, we know what to expect and have put in place measures to contain them in Uganda,” Firat stated.
“There will be minimal changes to the lineup that did us duty in the World Cup qualifiers in Malawi earlier. So we expect continuity. This will help us gel well and push us towards victory.”
Kenya last featured in the continent’s biennial showpiece in 2019, where they crashed out in the preliminary stage.
“We are aware our fans are thirsty for Afcon action and we are ready to work extremely hard to realise the dream and make them happy. They should expect good results,” Firat said.
However, he still yearns to parade his charges at home. “There is no doubt we want to play at home. We are looking forward to hosting our matches at home in front of our fans,” he said.
The Turkish gaffer named his official squad on Tuesday. Last season’s KPL top scorer Benson Omalla is among the foreign-based players who have returned for national duties.
The maverick striker recently joined Lebanese side Al Safa from record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.
Meanwhile, referees for the September 4 match have been announced. The centre referee will be Diouf Adalbert from Senegal.
Madou Ngom and Madou Ngoma have been assigned as the first and second assistant referees respectively. Aliuone Sow is the backup referee.
Mike Letti of Uganda will act as match commissioner, and Algeria’s Damel Haimoudi will evaluate the referees.
