Kenya’s Harambee Stars have made six appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, with the first coming in 1972, hosted by Cameroon and won by Congo Brazzaville. The tournament had only eight participating nations.
Kenya’s record is only surpassed by Uganda in the region. The Uganda Cranes have made seven appearances at the continental showpiece, one more than Harambee Stars.
The Ugandans made their debut in 1962, the third edition, which had only four participating teams. The hosts, Ethiopia, won the championship as Uganda finished last behind Egypt and Tunisia in that order.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars were last at the AFCON in 2019
However, since the 2019 edition in Egypt, where they finished third behind finalists Algeria and Senegal, with Tanzania finishing last, Harambee Stars are yet to feature in the AFCON finals.
It may be argued that Kenya qualified out of luck after Sierra Leone, who was second in their qualifying group, was disqualified following government interference. Third-placed Stars joined Group F winners Ghana in Egypt.
For the 2021 edition, Kenya failed to advance from the qualifying group after winning only one game and finishing third. Egypt and Comoros secured their tickets from Group G, while Stars and Togo stayed at home.
Why are Harambee Stars not at the 2022 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast?
After former Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed reigned in on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in 2021 following impropriety claims at Kandanda House, Kenya was suspended from all football-related activities.
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Stars had been placed in Group C alongside Cameroon, Namibia, and Burundi, but the suspension by FIFA disqualified them from the continental showpiece.
The group remained with only three teams, and Cameroon and Namibia booked their slots at the tournament by finishing first and second, respectively.
