Image: FILE
Harambee stars beat 2022 World Cup host Qatar 2-1 on Thursday evening in a friendly match played at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Amos Nondi came off the bench to score the winner in stoppage time after a brilliant run from Michael Olunga to assist the FC Ararat-Armenia midfielder.
Joseph Okumu, Stade de Reims defender, scored Kenya’s first goal through a glancing header to give Stars the lead in the 20th minute before Hassan Al-Haydos equalised for the hosts from the penalty spot 14 minutes later.
The hosts Qatar are currently ranked 59 in the FIFA world ranking whereas Kenya is ranked 105.
This game comes as a perfect opportunity for Kenya to prepare itself for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya has been pitted against Ivory Coast, Gambia, Gabon, Burundi, and Seychelles in Group F and will have to outwit the opponents if they have to realise their dream of making their maiden appearance at the World Cup in 2026.
The national team was locked out of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they were serving a ban imposed by FIFA.
With this result, Turkish tactician Engin Firat will be confident with the team’s possibility to make it to the World Cup.
Harambee stars are expected to jet back to the country Friday in rediness to play host to neighbours South Sudan in a thrilling match set for Tuesday.