Why Harambee Stars opted to host two international friendly games in Turkey
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 11.11.25. | 19:06
The last time Harambee Stars played in Turkey was in October 2023, when they drew 2-2 with Russia under then-head coach Engin Firat
Harambee Stars will return to Turkey for the November FIFA international break after two years.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
The last time Stars played in Turkey was in October 2023, when they drew 2-2 with Russia under then-head coach Engin Firat.
.jpg)
Fast forward to now, and as the final international break of the year kicks off, Kenya are once again heading to Turkey.
They are set to play two build-up matches, against Equatorial Guinea on Friday, 14 November and Senegal on Tuesday, 18 November.
According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Head of Projects and National Teams Officer Athanas Oballa, Turkey was chosen as the venue because it is convenient for both Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, whose players are mostly based in Europe.
“Playing the matches in Turkey will make travel and logistics easier for Equatorial Guinea and Senegal than if we played in Africa. It will be easy for them to get connecting flights,” Oballa told Nation Sport.
After facing Harambee Stars, Equatorial Guinea will play their second match of the international break on Monday, 17 November, also in the same city of Antalya.
Senegal, on the other hand, will arrive in Turkey from England, where they will have faced five-time world champions Brazil at the Emirates Stadium.
While the choice of venue offers logistical convenience to the opponents, it denies Kenyan fans a chance to watch Harambee Stars in action for the last time this year.
There is still hope, however, that Kenyans residing in Turkey may be allowed to attend the match.
“The match will most likely be played behind closed doors,” added Oballa.
The scheduling of the two friendlies in Turkey comes after Stars also played Chad in Morocco in June, which shows the growing commercial and logistical dynamics influencing how African national teams plan their international friendlies.
Oballa also ruled out any involvement of the Kenyan government in organising the historic clash against AFCON 2021 champions Senegal.
Kenya and Senegal have never met in a friendly match before.
Their four previous meetings have all been at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, with Senegal winning 3-0 in 2019, 2004, and 1992, while their 1990 encounter ended in a goalless draw.
Interestingly, the upcoming friendly follows the recent visit of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to Kenya on Monday, 20 October.
He was among the invited guests during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui.
On the sporting side, Oballa hopes the two matches will help Kenya climb the FIFA World Rankings.
.jpg)
