On their return to AFCON after 15 years, Kenya’s Harambee Stars have been grouped alongside Tanzania, Algeria and Senegal in Group C for the 2019 tournament.
Kenya has appeared five time 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 2004 in this tournament since it kick started in 1957 and apparently coached by Sebastian Migne
Kenya qualified for the 2004 Cup of all nations after topping a group that included Togo, Mauritania and Cape Verde. It marked the first time since 1990 that Kenya made it to Africa Premier tournament.
19 year old Denis Oliech was in sensational form scoring in almost every game during Kenya’s qualifying campaign.
Fittingly he scored the winner in the last match against Cape Verde which Kenya had to win in order to qualify.
An interesting aspect of the 2004 kenya Squad of AFCON there was not a single player from either Go-Mahai or AFC Leopard, the two perennial giants two of Kenya who for years had provided to the national team.
Both teams had now sunk to shameful depth and were in relegation.
The Kenya v Tanzania tie will be the most interesting match-up in the group, making up an East African derby with the Taifa Stars qualifying for the first Cup of Nations in 39 years.
This will not be the first time that Kenya playing in its fifth AFCON and will be pooled against Senegal. The two sides played in the same group at the 1990 Cup of Nations that involved eight teams with the tie ending 0-0.
The draw will give some friendly fire when Senegal meets the Harambee Stars with best of friends Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane who played together at Southampton clashing. The two are also captains of their national teams.
Sebastian Migne (HEAD COACH)
Sébastien Migné is French football coach and former player in France; he has played for La Roche Vendée, Stade Henri Desgrange and Football Club de Gaillard.
Migné was previously coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo national under-20 football team. He was the first coach to qualify the team for the continental championships.
Migné was appointed coach of the Congo national team in March 2017.He left in March 2018.
On 3 May 2018, Migné was named the new coach of the Kenyan national team.
Under national team head-coach Sébastien Migné Kenya national football team has been nominated for the first time in history for the CAF Men’s national team of the year award 2018.
He will name the final squad of 23 will be named 10 days before the African Cup of Nations which kicks off on the 21st of June in Egypt.
Star player (Victor wanyama)
Victor Mugubi Wanyama (Kenyan English born 25 June 1991) is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and captains the Kenyan national team.
Wanyama became the first ever Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic’s 2–1 win over Barcelona on 7 November 2012.
On 11 July 2013, Wanyama moved to Premier League club Southampton for £12.5 million making him the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club, surpassing the £9.5 million Russian club Spartak Moscow paid for Aiden McGeady in 2010.
He has earned over 50 caps for the Kenyan national team since making his international debut in May 2007 at the age of 15.
Wanyama made his debut for the Kenyan national team in May 2007, aged just 15 in a friendly against Nigeria.
He also played in all six of Kenya’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He became the captain of his national team in 2013.
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
HARAMBEE STARS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo
Defenders: Abud Omar, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino, Bernard Ochieng, Brian Mandela, Philemon Otieno, Eric Ouma
Midfielders: Victor Wanyama, Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzalez, Ayub Timbe, Francis Kahata, Ovella Ochieng, Dennis Odhiambo, Eric Johanna, Paul Were, Cliffton Miheso, Johanna Omollo
Forwards: John Avire, Masud Juma, Christopher Mbamba, Michael Olunga.
