Football fans in Kenya are eagerly anticipating the return of their national team, the Harambee Stars, to the international stage after being banned by FIFA in February of last year.
The team will travel to Tehran to face off against highly ranked Iran in a friendly match on March 28th.
Football Kenya Federation Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno confirmed reports of the match, urging Kenyans to rally behind the team in their comeback.
“On March 28, the Harambee Stars return to the pitch for the first time in over a year. This is a big moment for Kenya. I expect a great match and urge all Kenyans to rally behind the team so that we can move forward together,” Otieno told the Star.
Head coach Engin Firat has welcomed the fixture, stating that playing against Iran will be a good test for Kenya. He acknowledged the challenges the team will face in rebuilding after a year of inactivity but expressed his confidence in their ability to work their way back to a high level of competitiveness.
“Iran is a World Cup nation and is ranked 24th in the world. Playing them in our first match back after suspension will help us assess where we are which is the first step in rebuilding the team and working our way to a high level of competitiveness,” Firat said.
Firat will name the provisional squad on Thursday morning, and the team will begin a residential training camp on March 19th.
The fixture against Iran marks the first step in the Harambee Stars’ journey to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations, with Otieno stating that the Football Kenya Federation will deploy every resource at their disposal to help the team achieve this goal.
The match against Iran is highly anticipated, with many football fans hoping for a successful return for the Harambee Stars.
