Harambee Stars are gearing up for an unexpected test as they prepare to face African giants Senegal in a friendly match in Antalya, Turkey. The fixture caught Kenya’s coaching staff off guard, with assistant coach Vasili Manousakis confirming that the team had no prior knowledge of the match being scheduled.
The sudden inclusion of Senegal in Kenya’s itinerary turns what was meant to be a routine international break into a high-stakes challenge. The Stars will face the West African champions just four days after taking on Equatorial Guinea in another friendly in the same city. Historically, Senegal has dominated previous encounters with Kenya in the Africa Cup of Nations, winning three of the four meetings, with only a single 0-0 draw in 1990.
Despite the daunting history, Manousakis described the fixture as an invaluable opportunity for the squad to test themselves against some of Africa’s best players. He noted that while the Harambee Stars are in a developmental phase, facing top-tier opposition helps nurture talent and build experience for upcoming competitions.
The squad includes several new faces, including Aldrine Kibet from Celta Vigo’s reserve team, Bryton Onyona of Gor Mahia, and Kevin Otiende from Nairobi United. Returning players like Baron Ochieng, Ovellah Ochieng, and Sharif Musa also feature after extended absences. These selections aim to expose more local players to international football while offering the squad fresh dynamics.
Injuries and domestic league congestion have forced some absences, with key players Adam Wilson, Job Ochieng’, Manzur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma, and Vincent Harper unavailable. Collins Sichenje and captain Michael Olunga have also been given time off.
The team is set to converge in Turkey, with forward Jonah Ayunga and winger William Lenkupae joining from Europe. New call-ups like Kibet expressed excitement over the early international opportunity and shared plans to improve communication by learning Spanish for better integration with teammates and coaches.
While the fixture was unplanned, Harambee Stars see it as a chance to challenge themselves, gain valuable experience, and continue developing a competitive squad for the future.
