A close look into players expected to shine for the Harambee Stars at AFCON

Tokeo la picha la harambee stars

After having to wait for 15 years, Kenyan will finally get to watch their team play in a meaningful tournament when the Harambee Stars play in the African Cup of Nations tournament set to be held in Egypt in 4 days time. The National team, coached by Sebastian Migne qualified for the Biennial Tournament after finishing 2nd in the group that also had Ghana, Sierra Leone, and neighbors Ethiopia.

The team is currently in a training camp in France where Migne hails from and will play their first group match against Algeria this Sunday in Cairo. Below we look at players from Migne’s final squad who are largely expected to leave a mark in the biggest football showpiece event in Africa.

Ayub Masika Timbe

The fleet-footed winger has all the ingredients you need from a top class wide man. He has the pace to rival any player in the world with the trickery to match and has a deadly eye for goal. The JMJ academy graduate currently plies his trade for Beijing Renhe in the Chinese Super League and has 2 assists from 3 appearances this season.

Tokeo la picha la harambee stars ayub timbe

With the Harambee Stars expected to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter, Timbe’s pace on and off the ball will be crucial for the Harambee Stars. Chances are expected to be few for the Stars especially against the stronger Algerian and Senegalese squads but you can be sure that Timbe will be involved in most of them.

Francis Kahata

That Francis Kahatais still playing in the Kenyan Premier League still baffles many. The attacking midfielder is Kenya’s most creative player and has the ability to break any defensive structure with a single pass. Sebastian Migne’s squad is littered with fast pacy forwards who will thrive from Kahata’s defense-splitting passes.

Tokeo la picha la harambee stars kahata

Kahata’s delivery from setpieces is also top class and it is exactly how he announced himself on the international stage when he curved a perfect free kick past Nigeria in Calabar. Francis Kahata will be on the move this summer and he will be looking to impress in a bid to attract suitors. He is one to keep an eye on in Cairo.

Patrick Matasi

Of all the players in Migne’s squad for the tournament, none enjoys playing for the National Team more than goalkeeper Patrick Matasi. The former AFC Leopards and Posta Rangers custodian is an excellent shot stopper and single-handedly delivered the CECAFA Senior Challenge trophy by saving 3 penalties in the final against Zanzibar in Machakos two years ago.

Tokeo la picha la harambee stars matasi

Matasi has already saved a penalty in pre-tournament friendly against Madagascar last week and will be eager to prove himself against two of the best forwards in the World in Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. For Harambee Stars to have a successful AFCON, Matasi will have to in top form but luckily for the team, he rarely disappoints.

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