Optimism Abounds as Firat Prepares Harambee Stars for Challenging Clash with Russia

Harambee Stars’ head coach, Engin Firat, is brimming with confidence ahead of their international friendly match against the 2018 World Cup hosts, Russia.

The game is scheduled for a Monday kickoff at 7 p.m. and serves as an integral part of Harambee Stars’ preparations for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, commencing in November.

The Turkish tactician expressed his optimism, stating his expectations for the team to deliver a stellar performance. Firat assured, “We have done our work and we are ready for the match. We will do our best to make the people in Kenya proud.”

However, he also acknowledged that Russia, given their impressive performance against five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions, Cameroon, would pose a formidable challenge. Russia currently occupies the 39th position in the FIFA men’s ranking, while Kenya stands at 109th.

Firat emphasized the tough nature of the match, recognizing the strong capabilities of the Russian side. “Russia is a very tough team. You saw it against Cameroon and how easily they won. They could even win high in this match. So we expect a tough match,” he remarked.

The intensity of international friendly matches is a crucial factor to consider. Firat noted that these matches present a different level of intensity and tempo, which provides a significant challenge. He also acknowledged that the squad needs more time to gel. “The intensity and tempo which we have in international matches are different and challenging, and so this squad needs more time. But I also think they have worked really well, so we will do our best,” he added.

Kenya has played four international friendlies this year, securing one victory against the 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar. This win offers a much-needed boost to the team’s morale in preparation for the upcoming qualifiers.

Kenya finds itself in Group ‘F’ alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team will commence their qualification journey with an away game against Gabon at Stade de Franceville on November 13.