Forget about the celebrations of Harambee Stars reaching the AFCON after over 10 years dryspell, truth of the matter we are not yet.
I know it sounds crazy but take a seat and see why we are not in their.
The dreams of the national team are now hanging on a peg after Sierra Leone which was banned by FIFA allowed to continue participating in the AFCON qualification games.
The team has started preparations over the return match against Sierra Leone which is expected to be played in Kasarani.
But their is hope after return of few Harambee Stars key players ahead of the clash that will shape the the hope of Kenyans. Ayub Timbe being the main man who has returned.
Timbe played in the first leg against the Sierra Leonians but was slapped with a three match ban after receiving a red card after the final whistle in the charged game.
The former Belgium based winger will be a huge addition to head coach Sebastien Migne’s plans especially having hit top form at his club, though slowed down by a minor injury.
Migne has also named England-based duo of Henry Ochieng and Jonah Ayunga with the latter having earned a national team call up in 2016 when Kenya played a friendly against Uganda in Kampala.
Striker Masud Juma, currently in the United Arab Emirates has also earned a return to the team after settling well with his new lcub and hitting the ground running.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (St Georges, Ethiopia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya)
Defenders
Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya)
Midfielders
Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Henry Ochieng (Braintree Town, England), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United, Kenya), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya)
Forwards
Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jonah Ayunga (Sutton United, England), Masud Juma (Aj Fujairah, UAE), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka, Kenya).
DO YOU THINK KENYA WILL QUALIFY TO AFCON AGAIN AFTER THE RETURN OF SIERRA LEONE?