The Harambee Stars are set to make their return to the competition after a 15-year absence having last appeared at the 2004 edition held in Tunisia.
Frenchman Sebastian Migne is the man in charge of the East Africans will be targeting to improve their record at the tournament where they have never gone past the group stage.
•History
After a year absence, the Harambee Stars made their debut at the 1972 edition held in Cameroon but were booted out of the tournament at the group stage after finishing third in their group that comprised of the hosts,Mali as well as Togo who finished bottom of the log.
Kenya had to wait a further 16-years to make their second appearance at the tournament which came at the 1988 edition in Algeria and was followed up their third and fourth appearances in succession at the 1990 and 1992 editions in Algeria and Senegal respectively.
There was no improvement however as they were bundled out at the first round at all three editions.
Twelve-years later,at the 2004 edition they made their fifth appearance under the tutelage of Jacob “Ghost” Mulee but once again crushed out at the group stage.
Kenya are now set to make their sixth appearance at Egypt 2019 after a 16 year absence.
•Qualification & Current Form
Kenya were drawn in Group F of qualification along with Ghana,Ethiopia and Sierra Leone who were later disqualified by FIFA due to government interference.
Harambee Stars began their campaign away to Sierra Leone and lost via a 2-1 scoreline but the match was later annulled after the Leone Stars’ disqualification.
Migne’s men then faced group favourites Ghana at home and managed to pick up a narrow 1-0 win over the Black Stars before drawing 0-0 in Ethiopia and later beating their East African neighbours 3-0 in Nairobi.
They completed their qualification campaign on a loosing note as they fell to 1-0 loss away in Ghana but could care-less as they had already confirmed their place in Egypt before the match.
Kenya are currently on a run of three wins and one loss and draw in their last five matches.
•Players
The Harambee Stars will be relying on inspirational captain Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League,to provide leadership and replicate his strong performances at club level in national colours.
Former Girona CF striker Michael Olunga who plies his trade for Kashiwa Reysol in the Japanese top-flight scored two goals in qualification and he his expected to lead the attack in Egypt.
Other key players to look out for include,Beijing Renhe wing-wizard Ayub Timbe Masika,Gor Mahia midfield maestro Francis Kahata and Cercle Brugge midfield powerhouse Johanna Omolo.
•Preparations & Schedule
The Harambee Stars are set to camp in Paris,France where they will play two preparatory matches against Madagascar on June 7 and Gambia on June 15 before jetting off to Egypt.
Schedule.
23 June.
Vs. Algeria
June 30 Stadium,Cairo.
27 June.
Vs. Tanzania🇹🇿
June 30 Stadium,Cairo.
1 July.
Vs. Senegal🇸🇳
June 30 Stadium,Cairo.
Report by Wami Katanga