Pride in defeat as Harambee Sambas take first steps on AFCON Futsal stage
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 29.01.26. | 13:11
Omondi insists the campaign has provided valuable exposure that can support the long-term development of futsal in the country.
Kenya’s national futsal team, the Harambee Sambas, may have been eliminated from the 2026 CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following defeat to Namibia, but head coach James Omondi says the campaign has provided an important learning platform for the emerging side to be successful in the future.
The Sambas lost 10–7 in the return leg played at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Tuesday, 28 January, confirming an 18–11 aggregate defeat after an 8–4 loss in the first leg away from home. Kenya led 5-4 at halftime, but Namibia turned things around in the second stanza to complete a double over Omondi’s men and, in the process, secured a place in the second and final qualification round for AFCON.
Speaking after the match, Omondi acknowledged the significance of the occasion for his players, noting that it marked Kenya’s first-ever appearance in AFCON futsal qualifiers.
“I’m proud of the boys. This is the first time they are playing AFCON qualifiers, and that alone is commendable,” he said.
Kenya faced a Namibian side with extensive continental experience, but Omondi noted encouraging signs from his team, particularly in front of a lively home crowd.
The coach explained that the tactical approach for the return leg was shaped by lessons from the opening match.
“We played away and lost 8–4, so we were looking to play in their half. It worked,” Omondi said, while acknowledging that experience ultimately made the difference. “At that level, a simple mistake and you are punished. That is what killed us.”
Omondi pointed to Namibia’s established futsal structures as a key factor in their success. “They have had a running league for the last 15 years. They have a professional futsal league. Now we need to invest more in futsal here at home, and definitely improvement will be there.”
While futsal remains a relatively new discipline in Kenya, Omondi believes progress is being made. “FKF has embraced futsal. It is now time for us to also have a futsal league so that guys can be playing consistently,” he noted.
Kenya’s AFCON qualifying journey may have ended, but Omondi insists the campaign has provided valuable exposure that can support the long-term development of futsal in the country.
