Stars to warm up for Ghana with Gambia, Comoros friendlies

National football team, Harambee Stars is scheduled to play two international friendly matches in March this year, as part as their preparation for the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches.

In a statement released by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Tuesday, Stars are set to tackle the Comoros in March 24 before taking on Gambia on March 27.

According FKF CEO Robert Muthomi, the matches are meant to sharpen stars in preparation for the qualifier matches.

 “We are happy to have secured the two friendlies as part of our build-up matches ahead of our 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Ghana,” said Muthomi.

Star’s are will be hosting Ghana’s Black Stars September this year, followed by a home and away fixture against neighbors Ethiopia in October. A home match against Sierra Leone a month later and finally an away clash against Ghana in March 2019 will seal their qualification campaign.

Muthomi adds that the matches will also go a long way in helping the national team active as in the upcoming international break.

“We feel that the matches will not only provide the technical bench with the much-needed opportunity to assess the players but that it will also keep the national team active during the upcoming FIFA international week, key in preparing for future assignments,” added Muthomi.

The two matches will mark the first competitive outing for Star’s who have not been in action since clinching the CECAFA senior challenge cup trophy last year December.

This new development comes at a time that FKF are in the hunt for a new tactician after the untimely resignation of Belgian coach Paul Put whose tenure was short lived.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa on Monday promised to name a new head coach for Star’s next week, and it is likely that the two matches will be managed by the tactician who is yet to be known.