Can Stars get off on the right footing against South Sudan?

The last time Harambee Stars took to the pitch dates back to October last year when they welcomed Chipolopolo of Zambia at the Nyayo National Stadium in an international friendly match. That game would be the start of a long winding road that tested the country’s preparedness to play football in a post- Covid-19 world. Today, after five months, the national team plays the first of three scheduled friendlies against South Sudan at the same venue in preparation of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo.

Kenya is the overwhelming favorite coming into this clash that kicks off at 3 PM EAT as history suggests that the last three meetings have all been in favour of the Harambee Stars. However, as we all know, history counts for nothing in football during the ninety minutes of play. Head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee is wary of the threat South Sudan pose after they handed Uganda a shocking 1-0 defeat in the last qualifier they played.

“It is my hope to attain a positive result owing to the fact that the team in the camp is made up of active local-based players playing in the top tier league. We have to be careful, they (South Sudan) stunned Uganda in their last qualifier here and that was a big statement from them,” he said.

South Sudan on the other hand will feel familiar to the Nyayo turf after playing their last fixture against Uganda at the same venue. The Bright Stars captain Peter Maker shared his thoughts with Mozzart Sport ahead of the game and the preparations his side has put in place.

“It’s just a friendly match that is preparing both teams for the upcoming AFCON Qualifiers but we will approach it with the seriousness it deserves. The Kenyan side is a very strong team. Everyone knows that, but the game is nothing we haven’t prepared for. We’ve been working really hard as a team on and off the pitch in preparation for these upcoming AFCON games and we’re treating this friendly match just like it’s the real deal as all games should be seen that way,” the captain noted.

Maker plays for Juba-based Amarat United but is under the radar of Serbian second-tier side FK Buducnost.

The match kicks off at 1500EAT.