Two new players have joined the Kenyan national team, Harambee Stars, for the first time, boosting the team’s preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Tobias Knost, who plays for SV Verl in Germany, is in camp and hopes to be capped. Likewise, John Ochieng, who features for Zanaco in Zambia, has joined the squad.

Duke Abuya and Elvis Rupia, who are based in Tanzania, have also checked into the camp, as have Portugal-based Johnstone Omurwa, Oman-based Alphonse Omija, and Armenia-based Amos Nondi.

Bradford City’s Adam Wilson and Perth Glory forward Bruce Kamau checked into camp last week and will be looking to earn their maiden caps for the senior team.

Ayub Timbe, based in Azerbaijan, is expected to link up with the team before they travel to Malawi. At the same time, Richard Odada, Daniel Anyembe and Captain Michael Olunga are set to fly directly from their bases to Malawi.

Kenya will play Burundi on June 7 and Ivory Coast on June 11, 2024, in matchdays three and four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Both matches will be staged at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Ahead of these crucial matches, the team is tentatively set to depart for Malawi on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

The Harambee Stars currently sit third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.

Only the top team in the group, which includes Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya, will qualify for the 48-team World Cup, which will be played across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Additionally, four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will have a chance in a playoff that will determine CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, which will decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths.

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