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Kenya national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Kenya women's national football team.

Kenya
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Harambee Stars
AssociationFootball Kenya Federation (FKF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coachBenni McCarthy
CaptainMichael Olunga
Most capsMusa Otieno (90)
Top scorerWilliam Ouma (35)
Home stadiumMoi International Sports Centre
FIFA codeKEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 108 Steady (19 December 2024)[1]
Highest68 (December 2008)
Lowest137 (July 2007)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; 14 December, 1932)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances7 (first in 1972)
Best resultGroup stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultChampions (2024)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage (2013, 2024)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances80 (first in 1926)
Best resultChampions (1926, 1931, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017)

The Kenya national football team, colloquially known as the Harambee Stars, represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body of football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The team plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

Name

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The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars,[4][5] derives from Harambee, a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events such as fundraising and development activities. The word means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.[6][7]

History

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FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for three months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.[8]

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was again suspended from international football, for failing to fulfil a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complied with the agreements previously reached.[8][9]

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018,[10] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[11]

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team would use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.[12][13]

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[14]

On 14 January 2023, Football Kenya Federation stated that it had suspended 14 players, including six players from Zoo Kericho FC and two coaches for match-fixing allegations.[15][16]

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Kenya national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

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23 March Friendly Malawi  0–4  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
26 March Friendly Zimbabwe  1–3  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Kenya  1–1  Burundi Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2
  • Abuya 72'
 Report
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Kenya  0–0  Ivory Coast Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
27 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Zambia  0–2  Kenya Gqeberha, South Africa
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
30 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Kenya  0–2  Comoros Gqeberha, South Africa
Report
Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Kenya  2–0  Zimbabwe Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00
Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium


Coaches

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Eckhard Krautzun became the manager of the national football team of Kenya in 1971

Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However, there was dissent regarding his managerial skills, and a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar[17] led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;[18] however, he disappeared just hours before a Jamhuri Day friendly against reigning champions Ghana in 1965. His absence was never explained, and Batchelor was called in as an emergency replacement. This match was the team's worst defeat, with a final score of 13–2 against Ghana. At the time, the Ghanaians were a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong. Two days later, after Batchelor had reorganised the team, the Kenyans and Ghanaians drew in a friendly match.[19]

Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):[20][18]

Players

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Kenya versus Sudan in Nairobi

Current squad

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The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group F matches against  Gambia and  Gabon on 20 and 23 March 2025.[21]

Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against  Namibia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ian Otieno (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 31) 10 0 South Africa Richards Bay
1GK Brian Bwire (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 24) 2 0 South Africa Polokwane City
2DF Erick Otieno (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) 48 0 Poland Raków Częstochowa
2DF Brian Onyango (1994-07-24) 24 July 1994 (age 30) 38 3 South Africa Stellenbosch
2DF Johnstone Omurwa (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26) 21 0 Saudi Arabia Abha
2DF Rooney Onyango (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23) 13 1 Kenya Gor Mahia
2DF Daniel Anyembe (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 11 0 Denmark Viborg
2DF Ismael Athuman (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 30) 11 0 Spain Mérida
2DF Manzur Okwaro (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Kenya KCB
3MF Teddy Akumu (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 32) 60 1 Iran Kheybar Khorramabad
3MF Richard Odada (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24) 21 1 Serbia OFK Beograd
3MF Duke Abuya (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30) 18 2 Tanzania Young Africans
3MF Amos Nondi (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 26) 16 1 Armenia Ararat-Armenia
3MF Timothy Ouma (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 20) 8 0 Czech Republic Slavia Prague
4FW Michael Olunga (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 30) 60 29 Qatar Al-Duhail
4FW Eric Johanna Omondi (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 30) 36 4 Romania UTA Arad
4FW Masoud Juma (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 29) 22 8 Iran Esteghlal
4FW John Avire (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 28) 12 2 Egypt El Sekka El Hadid
4FW Jonah Ayunga (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 27) 5 1 Scotland St Mirren
4FW Elvis Rupia (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 29) 4 1 Tanzania Ihefu
4FW Mohammed Bajaber (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya Kenya Police
4FW Ben Stanley Omondi (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Bryne Odhiambo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Kenya Bandari 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Dolph Junior (2003-12-08) 8 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Ibrahim Wanzala (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz 2024 COSAFA Cup
GK Patrick Matasi (1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 37) 37 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Alphonce Omija (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Oman Dhofar Club 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Sylvester Owino (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Kenya Gor Mahia 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Amos Wanjala 2 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Paul Ochuoga (2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Kenya Gor Mahia 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Geoffrey Onyango 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks 2024 COSAFA Cup
DF Aboud Omar (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32) 48 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Joseph Okumu (1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 27) 23 1 France Reims v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Collins Sichenje (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Serbia Vojvodina v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Chris Erambo (2004-12-10) 10 December 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Kenya Tusker 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Austin Odhiambo (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25) 3 1 Kenya Gor Mahia 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF John Ochieng (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Zambia Zanaco 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Kayci Odhiambo (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Kenya AFC Leopards 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Patrick Otieno (2000-12-24) 24 December 2000 (age 24) 2 1 Kenya Posta Rangers 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Aldrine Kibet (2006-06-13) 13 June 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Stanley Wilson 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF William Gitamu 0 0 Kenya Bandari 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Elly Owande 0 0 Kenya Migori Youth 2024 COSAFA Cup
MF Kenneth Muguna (1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 29) 35 2 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW Benson Omala (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23) 5 1 Lebanon Safa 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Alfred Tanui (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Kenya Talanta 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Hassan Beja (2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Kenya AFC Leopards 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Jeremy Bissau 0 0 England Brooke House College 2024 COSAFA Cup
FW Moses Shummah (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz 2024 COSAFA Cup

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary/Standby squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

--->

Records

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As of 14 October 2024[22]
Players in bold are still active with Kenya.

Most appearances

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Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Musa Otieno 90 9 1993–2009
2 Jonathan Niva 88 10 1965–1976
3 Allan Thigo 81 11 1969–1978
4 John Nyawanga 80 17 1965–1976
5 Dennis Oliech 76 34 2002–2015
6 Robert Mambo Mumba 72 13 2000–2009
7 Titus Mulama 71 8 2001–2012
8 Francis Onyiso 70 0 1996–2011
9 Wilberforce Mulamba 68 14 1978–1988
James Siang'a 68 0 1963–1975

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 William Ouma 35 66 0.53 1965–1977
2 Dennis Oliech 34 76 0.45 2002–2015
3 Elijah Lidonde 33 26 1.27 1950–1961
4 Michael Olunga 30 62 0.48 2015–present
5 Ali Kajo 26 32 0.81 1959–1969
Livingstone Madegwa 26 49 0.53 1964–1972
7 Joe Kadenge 25 63 0.4 1957–1970
8 John Baraza 21 52 0.4 2002–2011
9 Daniel Nicodemus 17 34 0.5 1963–1972
Mike Origi 17 48 0.35 1990–2004
John Nyawanga 17 80 0.21 1965–1976

Competition records

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1962 to 1970 Did not enter Declined participation
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 8
Argentina 1978 2 0 1 1 0 1
Spain 1982 2 1 0 1 3 6
Mexico 1986 4 1 1 2 6 10
Italy 1990 6 1 3 2 2 4
United States 1994 2 1 0 1 2 4
France 1998 8 4 1 3 14 14
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 0 2
Germany 2006 12 4 2 6 11 17
South Africa 2010 12 4 1 7 13 16
Brazil 2014 8 3 3 2 11 5
Russia 2018 4 2 1 1 6 4
Qatar 2022 6 1 3 2 4 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 1 2 1 7 3
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 78 25 21 32 88 103

African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018
Cameroon 2020
Algeria 2022
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2024 Qualified as co-hosts
Total TBD 1/8 0 0 0 0 0 0

Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]
Main article: Kenya at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to United Arab Republic 1959 Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1962 to Sudan 1970 Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972 Group stage 5th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Egypt 1974 to Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984 Did not enter
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 0 6
Algeria 1990 8th 3 0 1 2 0 3
Senegal 1992 9th 2 0 0 2 1 5
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify
South Africa 1996 Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 6
Egypt 2006 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019 Group stage 17th 3 1 0 2 3 7
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Morocco 2025 Did not qualify
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2027 Qualified as co-hosts
2029 To be determined
Total Group stage 7/36 17 2 4 11 11 31

African Games

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Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Kenya 1987 2nd 5 2 2 1 7 6

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  4. ^ "The Harambee Stars (official)". Facebook.
  5. ^ "Harambee Stars Archives". Football Kenya Federation. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ Musau, Mwende Mutuli (5 October 2020). "Harambee: The law of generosity that rules Kenya". BBC News.
  7. ^ Ng'ethe, Njuguna (1983). "Politics, Ideology and the Underprivileged: The Origins and Nature of the Harambee Phenomenon in Kenya". Journal of Eastern African Research & Development. 13: 150–170. JSTOR 24325584.
  8. ^ a b "FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  9. ^ Wandera, Gilbert (25 October 2006). "FIFA Suspends Kenya Indefinitely". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com – The East African Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  10. ^ Chweya, Edward (20 February 2016). "New FKF president Nick Mwendwa sacks Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson". Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  11. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Kenya – Men's". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  12. ^ "FKF unveils new kits in Ksh. 75M deal with Mafro Sports" (video). NTV Kenya. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2017 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Kenya 2017–18 Mafro Sports Kits". Todo Sobre Camisetas (in Spanish). 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  14. ^ "2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Kenya secure shock win over Ghana in qualifiers". BBC Sport. 8 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Kenya suspends 16 footballers, coaches over fixing allegations". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  16. ^ Communications, F. K. F. (13 January 2023). "Provisional Suspension of Individuals Involved in Match Fixing". Football Kenya Federation. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  17. ^ Mballa, Tony (22 October 2020). "When will Kenya get it right in coaches' revolving door". The Star. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Profiles of Kenya Harambee stars coaches". Kenya Football Page. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Remembering the football debacle of 1965 when Ghana thumped Kenya". Nation. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Kenya National Team Coaches". rsssf.org. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Coach Benni McCarthy Names Travelling Squad for Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Gambia". Football Kenya Federation. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  22. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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