Kheri: Harambee Stars of today has a better World Cup chance

Former Harambee Stars head coach Mohammed Kheri feels current coach Engin Firat has no excuse for failing to take the team to the 2026 World Cup.

The veteran tactician says the team barely lacks anything necessary for good preparations, unlike in their time.

Among other important factors for assembling a successful team, Kheri says players and technical bench welfare are important elements, which the current Football Kenya Federation leadership is effortlessly offering.

"These days the players get almost everything unlike the past when they were fighting only for the honour of the flag. After the first two matches, if the coach prepares this team well, then there is no limit to what they can achieve," said the veteran coach.

Kheri, who coached Stars in the 1990s has also advised the current football administration to lay more emphasis on age-group teams, to ensure there is a large and effective conveyor belt for the senior team.

"We must start a steady youth development program nationwide starting at the age of under 10, 14, 16, 18 up to the senior level. But we use the reverse gear starting from the top and going to the bottom, and I'm sure that even this federation itself does not know how other local leagues are run in this country.

"We cannot continue like this and expect to succeed without  setting a target of at least five years so that we know where we are or where we are going," advised Kheri.

Kenya’s next matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign will be in June 2024, against Burundi and Ivory Coast respectively.

Harambee Stars thrashed hapless Seychelles 5-0 to pick first win in their Group F 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match played in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday night after losing their first match away to Gabon 1-2.

Kenya now has three points in group F, same as Burundi but with a superior goal difference of positive four, while Ivory Coast top the group with six points.

Gabon and Burundi, have six points too, but have an inferior goal difference compared to Ivory Coast, who boast of a massive positive 12.

Kenya’s next matches of the campaign will be in June 2024, against Burundi and Ivory Coast respectively.