Naema Celestine 
Florence Simiyu
The Harambee Stars national team is facing injuries to key players ahead of two important World Cup qualifiers in Malawi next month, according to their coach.
Engin Firat stated that up to eight first-team players are injured, complicating his plans for the matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
However, he confirmed that team captain and top striker Michael Olunga, whose name was absent from the initial 25-member squad list released on Monday, will travel directly to Malawi instead of stopping in Kenya first.
Coach Firat announced that the injured players include striker Masoud Juma and defenders Dennis Ng’ang’a, Eric “Marcelo” Ouma, and Joseph Okumu.
“While much attention is on Michael Olunga, there are actually up to eight players missing from the list, I am uncertain who will be fully fit.” Turkish coach stated during a news conference
The Harambee Stars are set to play against Burundi on June 7 and then face the reigning African champions, Ivory Coast, four days later.
Kenya had to move their matches to Malawi because the Kenyan government closed all major stadiums for renovations, leaving no FIFA-approved venues available.
Kenya is currently third in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, having earned three points from their first two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
Ivory Coast and Gabon are leading the group, each with six points from two matches.
Kenya had to move their matches to Malawi because the Kenyan government closed all major stadiums for renovations, leaving no FIFA-approved venues available.
Kenya is currently third in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, having earned three points from their first two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
Ivory Coast and Gabon are leading the group, each with six points from two matches.
