The Harambee Stars, Kenya’s national football team, are facing a challenging situation as they prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Due to the ongoing renovations at their primary stadiums, Nyayo and Kasarani, the team will host their crucial home games at the Bingu National Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi.
Team captain Michael Olunga expressed his disappointment over the loss of the home-ground advantage, which often acts as the ’12th man’ in crucial matches. Despite this setback, Olunga remains committed to leading the team to fight with everything they have to secure positive results.
The Stars will play two significant qualifiers in Malawi, against Burundi and the reigning African champions, Ivory Coast. Olunga has called on the Ministry of Sports and the Kenyan government to expedite the renovation process and ensure the stadiums meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for future matches.
The team’s head coach, Engin Firat, shares Olunga’s sentiments but emphasizes the need to adapt to the current circumstances. He acknowledges the historical challenges Kenyan teams face when playing away from home but remains hopeful, especially since the Stars have previously found success in Blantyre, winning a four-nations tournament.
As the Stars set off for Malawi, both Olunga and Firat hope that the familiarity with the venue and the support from the local fans will provide a semblance of the home advantage they have been forced to forgo. The team is determined to focus on the task at hand and deliver their best performance in the upcoming matches.
