Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has commended his team for achieving a 2-2 draw with Russia in an international friendly on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Turkey.

Following the match, Firat acknowledged that many people, including Kenyans, had anticipated a significant loss against the 2018 World Cup hosts, but the team defied those expectations.

“I know many people expected us to get five, six goals or whatever in these types of games, and I am happy we disappointed these people,” said Firat.

Harambee Stars, encountering European opposition for the second time in history, secured a respectable result at the Mardan Sports Complex stadium in Antalya, Turkey.

Firat is hopeful that Kenya’s impressive performance against top-class opponents like Russia and Qatar will translate into success in their qualifiers for continental and global tournaments.

“It shows that we are on a good way also to compete with other big teams, and I hope that we can take all this on our way to both the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers,” Firat added.

Teddy Akumu and Masuud Juma found the net for Kenya, although they conceded goals on both ends, ultimately earning a draw that exceeded expectations.

Firat however believes it is a game that the Kenyans would have won given the number of open chances they missed, captain Michael Olunga being the most culpable.

Harambee Stars commence their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with an away match against Gabon on November 13, followed by a trip to Seychelles a week later.

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Kenya is in Group F for the Africa World Cup qualifiers, alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.

Firat is confident that Kenya has a chance to qualify for the global showpiece that will be jointly hosted by the North American nations of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.