Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team 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.
Nickname(s) | Harambee Stars | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Kenya Federation (FKF) | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (Central & East Africa) | ||
Head coach | Engin Firat | ||
Captain | Michael Olunga | ||
Most caps | Musa Otieno (90) | ||
Top scorer | William Ouma (35) | ||
Home stadium | Moi International Sports Centre | ||
FIFA code | KEN | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 109 4 (21 September 2023)[1] | ||
Highest | 68 (December 2008) | ||
Lowest | 137 (July 2007) | ||
First international | |||
Kenya 1–1 Uganda (Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar (Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Uganda 13–1 Kenya (Uganda; 1932)[2] | |||
Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1972) | ||
Best result | Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019) |
History
Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time Sébastien Migné was appointed in May 2018,[3] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[4]
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.[5][6]
On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[7]
On the 8th of March 2021, the Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa and Odibets General Manager Dedan Mungai unveiled a partnership. The partnership was the first of its kind where the betting company Odibets would sponsor the Kenyan football team to prepare for 5 upcoming matches. The 5 million shilling motivation deal was set in place to cater for the team's wants and needs. While it was set as a continuous partnership, the initial donation of KSH 5,000,000 was made as a 1 time payment.[8]
Results and fixtures
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
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 |
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Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium |
12 September Friendly | Kenya | 0–1 | South Sudan | Nairobi, Kenya |
Report |
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Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre Referee: Abdoul Karim Twagirumukiza (Rwanda) |
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Gabon | v | Kenya |
November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Seychelles | v | Kenya |
Coaching history
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- Ray Bachelor (1961)
- Jack Gibbons (1966)
- Elijah Lidonde (1967)
- Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
- Jonathan Niva (1972)
- Ray Wood (1975)
- Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
- Stephen Yongo (1979)
- Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
- Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
- Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
- Christopher Makokha (1988)
- Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005
- Gerry Saurer (1992)
- Vojo Gardašević (1996)
- Abdul Majid (1998)
- Christian Chukwu (1998)
- James Siang'a (1999–00)
- Joe Kadenge (2002)
- Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
- Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
- Bernard Lama (2006)
- Tom Olaba (2006)
- Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
- Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
- Antoine Hey (2009)
- Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
- Henri Michel (2012)
- James Nandwa (2012–13)
- Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
- Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
- Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
- Paul Put (2017–2018)
- Sebastien Migne (2018–2019)
- Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
- Ken Odhiambo (2021)
- Engin Fırat (2021–present)
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup between 11 and 18 June 2023.[9]
Caps and goals are correct as of 28 March 2023, after the match against Iran.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ian Otieno | 9 August 1993 | 7 | 0 | ZESCO United | |
GK | Brian Bwire | 19 June 2000 | 2 | 0 | Tusker | |
GK | Bryne Odhiambo | 28 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | Kenya Commercial Bank | |
DF | Aboud Omar | 9 September 1992 | 41 | 0 | Free agent | |
DF | David Ochieng | 7 October 1992 | 35 | 2 | Mathare United | |
DF | Erick Otieno | 27 September 1995 | 34 | 0 | AIK | |
DF | Joseph Okumu | 26 May 1997 | 16 | 0 | Reims | |
DF | Daniel Sakari | 25 January 1999 | 11 | 0 | Tusker | |
DF | Robinson Kamura | 30 September 1994 | 3 | 0 | Kenya Commercial Bank | |
DF | Daniel Anyembe | 22 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | Viborg | |
DF | Collins Sichenje | 19 September 2003 | 1 | 0 | KuPS | |
DF | Siraj Mohammed | 4 December 1998 | 0 | 0 | Bandari | |
MF | Teddy Akumu | 20 October 1992 | 44 | 0 | Sagan Tosu | |
MF | Kenneth Muguna | 6 January 1996 | 24 | 2 | Azam | |
MF | Richard Odada | 25 November 2000 | 6 | 1 | AaB | |
MF | Amos Nondi | 10 February 1999 | 3 | 0 | Ararat-Armenia | |
MF | Victor Omune | 14 February 1993 | 1 | 0 | Leopards | |
MF | Alvin Mang'eni | 8 January 1995 | 0 | 0 | Kenya Police | |
MF | Alpha Chris Onyango | 23 December 2000 | 0 | 0 | Gor Mahia | |
FW | Michael Olunga | 26 March 1994 | 48 | 21 | Al-Duhail | |
FW | Clifton Miheso | 5 February 1993 | 43 | 7 | Gor Mahia | |
FW | Hassan Abdallah | 6 July 1996 | 16 | 6 | Bandari | |
FW | Masoud Juma | 3 February 1996 | 15 | 3 | Al-Jabalain | |
FW | Benson Omala | 16 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | Gor Mahia | |
FW | Boniface Omondi | 22 November 1994 | 0 | 0 | Gor Mahia |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Patrick Matasi | 11 December 1987 | 30 | 0 | Tusker | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
GK | Levin Opiyo | 28 November 1992 | 0 | 0 | Leopards | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
DF | Brian Onyango | 24 July 1994 | 36 | 3 | Mamelodi Sundowns | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Johnstone Omurwa | 8 August 1998 | 11 | 0 | Estrela da Amadora | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Andrew Juma | 7 August 1994 | 1 | 0 | Bandari | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
DF | Maurice Owino | 28 November 2000 | 0 | 0 | KCB | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Duke Abuya | 23 March 1994 | 10 | 0 | Kenya Police | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Wilkims Ochieng | 15 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | Unattached | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
MF | Moses Mudavadi | 21 December 1994 | 2 | 0 | Kakamega Homeboyz | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Hassan Beja | 13 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | Nzoia Sugar | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Joseph Mwangi | 6 April 1986 | 0 | 0 | Nzoia Sugar | v. Iran; 28 March 2023 PRE |
FW | Elvis Rupia | 12 April 1995 | 2 | 1 | Kenya Police | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
FW | Alfred Scriven | 26 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | Hødd | v. Iran, 28 March 2023 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Records
- As of 28 March 2023[10]
- Players in bold are still active with Kenya.
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Competition records
FIFA World Cup
Final tournament | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1966 | Did not enter | Declined participation | ||||||||||||||
1970 | ||||||||||||||||
1974 | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||
1978 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
1982 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
1986 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||
1990 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||
1994 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||
1998 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||
2002 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
2006 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | ||||||||||
2010 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 16 | ||||||||||
2014 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||
2018 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||
2022 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | ||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 74 | 24 | 19 | 31 | 80 | 100 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 to 1959 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1962 to 1970 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1972 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
1974 to 1982 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1984 | Did not enter | |||||||
1986 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1988 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
1990 | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
1992 | 9th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
1994 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1996 | Withdrew | |||||||
1998 to 2002 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2004 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
2006 to 2017 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2019 | Group stage | 17th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
2021 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2023 | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | |||||||
2025 | to be determined | |||||||
2027 | Qualified as hosts | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 7/34 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 31 |
African Games
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
Suspension
FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for 3 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.[11]
On 25 October 2006, Kenya was 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.[11][12]
On 14th 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.[13][14]
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
- 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.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Kenya – Men's". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- "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.
- "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.
- "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.
- H., Peter (4 April 2021). "Odibets Signs Deal With Harambee Stars". Gamblers.Africa. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- "Coach Firat Names Provisional Squad for Mauritius Four Nations Tournament". Football Kenya Federation. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
- 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.
- "Kenya suspends 16 footballers, coaches over fixing allegations". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- 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.
External links
- Kenya at CAF
- Kenya at FIFA
- FoStats.com – Database of all Kenyan players and coaches
- Futaa.com Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Kenyan Football Portal