Kenya national football team

The Kenya national football team represents Kenya in international football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body 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), a sub-confederation of CAF that has jurisdiction in East and Central Africa. The team is colloquially known as the Harambee Stars and plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the country's capital, Nairobi. The team is yet to qualify for the FIFA World Cup competition.

Kenya

Nickname(s)	Harambee Stars
Association	Football Kenya Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coach	Jacob Mulee
Captain	Victor Wanyama
Most caps	Musa Otieno (90)
Top scorer	William Ouma (35)
Home stadium	Moi International Sports Centre
FIFA code	KEN
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	104 (10 December 2020)[1]
Highest	68 (December 2008)
Lowest	137 (July 2007)
First international
Kenya 1–1 Uganda  (Nairobi, Kenya; May 1, 1926)
Biggest win
Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar  (Nairobi, Kenya; October 4, 1961)
Biggest defeat
Kenya 2–12 Ghana  (Nairobi, Kenya; December 12, 1965)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	6 (first in 1972)
Best result	Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019)

History

Kenya has appeared in six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, never reaching the second round. The team entered its first FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1974. As of 2018, they have never qualified for the final tournament.

FIFA suspensions and international bans

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.[3]

On October 25, 2006, Kenya was suspended again from international football for failing to fulfill a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in their football federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complies with the agreements previously reached.[3][4]

Recent history (2004–present)

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON (this was their first appearance in the tournament since their appearance in the 2004 AFCON). The head coach at the time Sébastien Migné was appointed in May 2018,[5] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[6]

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 will use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.[7][8]

On September 8, Kenya earned a surprise win over four-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[9]

Competition records

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									6	2	2	2	9	8
1978										2	0	1	1	0	1
1982										2	1	0	1	3	6
1986										4	1	1	2	6	10
1990										6	1	3	2	2	4
1994										2	1	0	1	2	4
1998										8	4	1	3	13	14
2002										2	0	1	1	0	2
2006										12	4	1	7	13	18
2010										12	4	1	7	13	16
2014										8	3	3	2	11	5
2018										4	2	1	1	6	4
2022	To be determined									To be determined
2026
Total		0/21								68	23	15	30	78	92

Africa Cup of Nations record

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1959	Not affiliated to CAF
1962 to 1970	Did not qualify
1972	Group stage	5th	3	0	2	1	3	4
1974 to 1982	Did not qualify
1984	Did not enter
1986	Did not qualify
1988	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	0	6
1990		8th	3	0	1	2	0	3
1992		9th	2	0	0	2	1	5
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Withdrew
1998 to 2002	Did not qualify
2004	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	6
2006 to 2017	Did not qualify
2019	Group stage	17th	3	1	0	2	3	7
2021	To be determined
2023
2025
Total	Group stage	6/32	17	2	4	11	11	31

African Games

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.

African Games record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1965	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0
1973		0	0	0	0	0	0
1978		0	0	0	0	0	0
1987		0	0	0	0	0	0
1991–present	See Kenya national under-23 football team
Total	4/4	0	0	0	0	0	0

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup

Gossage Cup Record Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA 1947 Fourth place 4th 1 0 0 1 1 3 1948 Third place 3rd 1 0 0 1 1 3 1949 Fourth place 4th 1 0 0 1 2 3 1950 Fourth place 4th 1 0 0 1 0 4 1951 Third place 3rd 1 0 0 1 0 1 1952 Third place 3rd 2 1 0 1 4 8 1953 Third place 3rd 1 0 0 1 1 5 1954 Fourth place 4th 1 0 0 1 0 5 1955 Third place 3rd 1 0 0 1 - - 1956 Third place 3rd 2 1 0 1 5 7 1957 Third place 3rd 2 0 1 1 4 8 1958 Fourth place 4th 3 0 1 2 3 8 1959 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 3 7 1960 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 3 11 1961 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 1 15 1962 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 0 19 1963 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 1 5 1964 Fourth place 4th 3 1 0 2 5 10 1965 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 2 12 1966 Fourth place 4th 3 0 1 2 1 7 Total 20/37 0 Titles 41 4 4 33 37 141 East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup Record Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA 1967 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 8 1968 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 0 8 1969 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 1 12 1970 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 4 5 1971 Fourth place 4th 3 0 1 2 2 8 Total 5/5 0 Titles 15 2 1 12 10 41

CECAFA Cup Record Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA 1973 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 0 6 1974 Third place 3rd 2 1 0 1 3 3 1975 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 1 7 1976 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 1 4 1977 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 1 4 1978 Did not enter 1979 Fourth place 4th 4 0 2 2 3 8 1980 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 2 5 1981 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 3 9 1982 Fourth place 4th 4 1 1 2 3 8 1983 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 3 6 1984 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 1 4 1985 Did not enter 1987 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 2 3 1988 Group stage 7th 3 1 0 2 1 3 1989 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 0 1 1990 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 3 5 1991 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 4 7 1992 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 2 14 1994 Did not enter 1995 Champions 1st 5 3 1 1 5 4 1996 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 3 1999 Group stage 10th 2 0 1 1 1 3 2000 Did not enter 2001 Group stage 10th 2 0 0 2 0 8 2002 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 1 3 2003 Group stage 5th 2 0 1 1 2 6 2004 Group stage 7th 4 1 0 3 7 11 2005 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 7 6 2006 Group stage 9th 2 0 1 1 0 4 2007 Quarter-finals 7th 3 1 2 0 5 3 2008 Group stage 8th 4 1 1 2 3 5 2009 Third place 3rd 6 2 2 2 6 3 2010 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 2 1 4 3 2011 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 1 2 5 4 2012 Third place 3rd 6 1 4 1 5 6 2013 Group stage 9th 3 1 0 2 3 6 2015 Group stage 10th 3 1 0 2 3 6 2017 Runners-up 2nd 6 3 2 1 9 6 Total 34/38 1 Title 121 29 31 61 99 181

Honours

• CECAFA Cup:
  • Winners (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
  • Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
  • 2nd Runners-up : 2019

Recent results

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

2020

9 October Friendly	Kenya	2–1	Zambia	Nairobi, Kenya
15:00 UTC+2	Mwape  21' (o.g) Nyakeya  36'		Chabula  81'	Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium Referee: Anthony Ogwajo (Kenya)

11 November 2021 AFCONQ	Kenya	1–1	Comoros	Kasarani, Kenya
19:00 UTC+3	Juma  65'	Report	M'Changama  26'	Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)

15 November 2021 AFCONQ	Comoros	2–1	Kenya	Moroni, Comoros
19:00 UTC+3	Ben  21' Mattoir  49'	Report	Nyakeya  35'	Stadium: Stade Omnisports de Malouzini Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

2021

22 March 2021 AFCONQ	Kenya	v	Egypt
--:-- UTC+3

30 March 2021 AFCONQ	Togo	v	Kenya
--:-- UTC±0

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros on 11 and 14 November 2020.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	GK	Arnold Origi	November 15, 1983	36	0	HIFK
18	GK	Ian Otieno	August 9, 1993	6	0	ZESCO United
23	GK	Brian Bwire	June 19, 2000	0	0	Kariobangi Sharks
15	DF	David Owino	April 5, 1988	66	2	ZESCO United
5	DF	Brian Onyango	July 24, 1994	35	2	Mamelodi Sundowns
3	DF	Eric Ouma	September 27, 1996	28	0	AIK
2	DF	Joseph Okumu	May 26, 1997	11	0	Elfsborg
13	DF	Samuel Olwande	April 12, 1989	10	0	Kariobangi Sharks
4	DF	Johnstone Omurwa	August 8, 1998	6	0	Wazito
16	DF	David Owino Ambulu	July 20, 1998	0	0	Mathare United
12	MF	Victor Wanyama	June 25, 1991	64	7	Montréal
	MF	Teddy Akumu	October 20, 1992	44	0	Kaizer Chiefs
10	MF	Eric Johana Omondi	August 18, 1994	34	4	Jönköping
8	MF	Johanna Omolo	July 31, 1989	29	6	BB Erzurumspor
7	MF	Ayub Masika	September 10, 1992	26	4	Beijing Renhe
21	MF	Kenneth Muguna	January 6, 1996	17	2	Gor Mahia
17	MF	Ismael Athuman	February 1, 1995	11	0	Las Palmas
	MF	Lawrence Juma	November 17, 1992	9	0	Gor Mahia
11	MF	Hassan Abdallah	July 6, 1996	8	3	Bandari
19	MF	Cliff Nyakeya	January 11, 1995	6	2	ZED
	MF	Musa Masika	August 5, 2000	3	0	Wazito
	MF	Boniface Muchiri	August 26, 1996	2	0	Tusker
14	FW	Masoud Juma	February 3, 1996	12	4	JS Kabylie
	FW	John Makwatta	June 1, 1995	12	0	ZESCO United
9	FW	John Avire	March 12, 1997	4	0	Tanta

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Kenya squad within the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Timothy Odhiambo	July 8, 1997	0	0	Ulinzi Stars	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
DF	Joash Onyango	January 31, 1993	18	0	Simba	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
DF	Baraka Badi	October 25, 1998	1	0	KCB	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
DF	Clarke Oduor	June 25, 1999	1	0	Barnsley	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
MF	Francis Kahata	May 4, 1992	40	2	Simba	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
MF	Philemon Otieno	October 18, 1992	11	0	Gor Mahia	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
FW	Timothy Otieno	June 26, 1994	6	1	Tusker	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
FW	Oscar Wamalwa	June 20, 1990	5	3	Ulinzi Stars	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020
FW	Elvis Rupia	April 12, 1995	0	0	Leopards	v.  Zambia, 9 October 2020

Records

As of 15 November 2020[11]

Players in bold text are still active with Kenya.

Most Caps # 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 # 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 Ali Kajo 26 32 0.81 1959–1969 Livingstone Madegwa 26 49 0.53 1964–1972 6 Joe Kadenge 25 63 0.4 1957–1970 7 John Baraza 21 52 0.4 2002–2011 8 Michael Olunga 18 41 0.44 2015–present 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

Managers

Source : RSSSF

• Ray Bachelor (1961)
• Jack Gibbons (1966)
• Elijah Lidonde (1967)
• Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
• Jonathan Niva (1972)
• Ray Wood (1975)
• Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
• Stephen Yongo (1979)
• Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
• Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
• Reinhard Fabisch (1987)
• Christopher Makokha (1988)
• Mohammed Kheri (1988–90)
• Gerry Saurer (1992)
• Mohammed Kheri (1995)
• Vojo Gardašević (1996)
• Reinhard Fabisch (1997)
• Abdul Majid (1998)
• Christian Chukwu (1998)
• James Siang'a (1999–00)
• Reinhard Fabisch (2001–02)
• Joe Kadenge (2002)
• Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04)
• Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05)
• Mohammed Kheri (2005)
• Bernard Lama (2006)
• Tom Olaba (2006)
• Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
• Francis Kimanzi (2008–09)
• Antoine Hey (2009)
• Twahir Muhiddin (2009–10)
• Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2010)
• Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11, caretaker)
• Francis Kimanzi (2011–12)
• Henri Michel (2012)
• James Nandwa (2012–13, caretaker)
• Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
• Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
• Stanley Okumbi (2016–17)
• Paul Put (2017–2018)
• Stanley Okumbi (2018)
• Sebastien Migne (2018–2019)
• Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
• Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2020–present)

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
2. Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
3. "FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. October 26, 2006.
4. Wandera, Gilbert (October 25, 2006). "FIFA Suspends Kenya Indefinitely". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com – The East African Standard.
5. Chweya, Edward (February 20, 2016). "New FKF president Nick Mwendwa sacks Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson". Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
6. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Kenya – Men's". FIFA. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
7. "FKF unveils new kits in Ksh. 75M deal with Mafro Sports" (video). NTV Kenya. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017 – via YouTube.
8. "Kenya 2017–18 Mafro Sports Kits". Todo Sobre Camisetas (in Spanish). May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
9. "2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Kenya secure shock win over Ghana in qualifiers". BBC Sport. September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
10. Kenya national football team at National-Football-Teams.com.
11. Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF.

External links

• Kenya at FIFA.com
• FoStats.com – Database of all Kenyan players and coaches
• Futaa.com – Kenyan Football Portal