Harambee Stars predicted XI vs Iran

Harambee Stars will be back to action tonight when they take on Iran in an international friendly at the Azadi Stadium, Tehran, starting at 8 PM EAT.

Coach Engin Firat traveled with a squad of 24, and it will be interesting to see whom he picks for his first assignment after 500 days without action.

Ten of the 11 players that started the last match Kenya played, the 2-1 win over Rwanda, are in contention for a starting berth tonight, with only James Saruni the only exclusion.

Under Firat's tenure, only four players have started in all matches that the Turkish has overseen.

Captain Michael Olunga, midfielder Kenneth Muguna, and the defensive duo of Aboud Omar and Joseph Okumu are the only players to feature in all four matches.

In the goalkeeping department, Firat has fielded four players in the four games that he has been in charge.

For his debut game during the 5-0 drubbing by Mali, he started out with Ian Otieno between the sticks but an injury saw Farouk Shikhalo come in at the start of the second half.

He then brought in Brian Bwire for the reverse fixture at Nyayo Stadium even as Kenya went on to lose by a solitary goal. The performance that day saw Bwire preferred for the next match, away to Uganda at St Mary's Kitende but a howler by the youthful custodian paved way for James Saruni for the match against Rwanda at Nyayo Stadium.

None of the four keepers kept a clean sheet in those matches.

Heading to the match against Iran, only Ian Otieno has played in goal under Firat of the three shot-stoppers that traveled with the team.

Tactical analysis of how Iran might set up against Harambee Stars on Tuesday

However, there is a likelihood that the Turkish tactician will bring in the highly-experienced Patrick Matasi ahead of Otieno who has had limited playing time in Zambia this season.

In defense, Firat has always preferred Omar at left back at the expense of Erick 'Marcelo Ouma. and the same could continue on Tuesday, with new boy Daniel Anyembe flanking the right side while Okumu takes his usual position at center back alongside Brian Mandela.

Richard Odada, who played in three of the four will probably get the starting nod alongside Amos Nondi and Kenneth Muguna in midfield, with Odada and Nondi forming a double pivot and Muguna playing ahead of them.

D-Day as Kenya returns to international action with clash against Iran

Previously deployed as a left winger by Firat, the same could continue for Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma. There is no outright left winger in the team that traveled which leaves Ouma as the most preferred candidate for that position with Omar covering the left back. Duke Abuya will probably take the right wing with Michael Olunga leading the hunt for goals upfront.

Harambee Stars Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper

Patrick Matasi

Defenders

Daniel Anyembe, Brian Mandela, Joseph Okumu, Aboud Omar

Midfielders

Richard Odada, Amos Nondi, Kenneth Muguna

Attackers

Duke Abuya, Michael Olunga, Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma