Kenya’s Harambee Stars are set to play two friendly games this week against eSwatini and Equatorial Guinea as they kick off preparations for their Afcon 2019 Group F qualifier against Ghana scheduled for September 7 in Nairobi.
Both friendly matches are slated to be played at the renovated Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.
The first friendly is against eSwatini (until recently known as Swaziland) on May 25 before taking on Equatorial Guinea three days later.
The Harambee Stars will then travel to India to feature in the Hero Intercontinental Cup scheduled to begin on June 1.
Newly appointed French coach Sébastian Migné has summoned 24 players to camp and additional nine reserve players as a precautionary measure in case of injuries.
Notable names like of Tottenham Hot Spur midfielder Victor Wanyama, Real Oviedo midfielder McDonald Mariga and many other foreign based players are included alongside local players with Gor Mahia players dominating the list.
However, Girona forward Michael Olunga will not join the squad due to a pre-planned club engagements but is expected to join the squad in India.
New coach Sébastian Migné has repeatedly spoken on the importance of engaging in friendly matches ahead of Ghana encounter;
During his unveiling on 3 May, he said: ‘I have played with Ghana before as the Congo coach and I know them well.”
“We will play several friendlies ahead of the Ghana game. We have a big challenge ahead of us and we therefore have to put in work,” he added.
Ghana on the other hand are also gearing up for the visit to Kenya. They face Japan and Iceland in back-to-back international friendlies on May 30 and June 7 respectively as part of their preparations.
