The Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars on Thursday, October 11, jetted back into the country following a barren draw with Ethiopia in an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Bahir Dar Stadium on Wednesday.
Even though the Walya Antelopes dominated proceedings for most parts of the match, a resilient Kenyan defence ensured Harambee Stars left Ethiopia with a point, enough to push them closer to the showpiece event in Cameroon next year.
Coach Sebastien Migne was content with the draw and congratulated his players for giving their best.
“Of course it was not easy playing at the fully packed stadium. I want to commend my players for giving their best and I am confident that we will get a positive result on Sunday,” said Migne.
Captain Victor Wanyama welcomed the result and hoped for a positive result on Sunday.
“The result for us is welcome. I want to congratulate my teammates for their mental strength. We however still have a job to do on Sunday and I’m confident we’ll get a positive result,” he said.
FKF President Kick Mwendwa also congratulated the team for their performance and promised to ensure they get all the support they need on Sunday.
“It is good that Government has granted fans free entry. We are now planning on how we will ensure that fans have the best experience on Sunday,” said Mwendwa.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Achesa, through a statement sent to the press, confirmed there will be no gate charges for the crucial clash in a bid to give the Harambee Stars all the support they deserve.
Kenya are only three points away from making a dramatic return to the AFCON, the last one coming in 2004.
With the draw, Kenya leapfrogged Ghana in Group F to claim first spot.
Achesa, on his Twitter handle, called upon all football lovers to come out in large numbers on Sunday to support the national team.
“I call upon all football enthusiasts to come out in large numbers and join us in cheering on Harambee Stars this Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium in their return leg match against Ethiopia in the #AFCON2019 qualifiers match. #SimamaNaHarambeeStars,” he tweeted.