Buoyant Harambee Stars seek to build winning momentum with South Sudan friendly

There's a feel good vibe around Harambee Stars that has never been felt in a very long time.

Winning 2-1 against World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly match last Friday has evidently rekindled a dwindling love for the men's senior national football team if the mood on social media is anything to go by.

The fact that Kenyans living in Qatar showed up in their thousands to cheer the team to victory only made the win even more enjoyable.

It was also a big challenge to fans back at home to rally behind the team and not just criticize them from the comfort of their dining rooms.

Stars will be back on the pitch to face South Sudan in another friendly as head coach Engin Firat maximizes on the international break.

With no competitive matches on the horizon just yet apart from the World Cup qualifiers coming up later this year, Firat is using the build ups to mold a winning side and create momentum before real business starts.

"Winning against an experienced team like Qatar is a good boost for us because the target now is to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers which will start soon. The players expressed themselves well and I am happy that we gave some young players an opportunity as well,” the Turkish manager offered.

They will be up against a wounded South Sudan side smarting from a heavy 4-0 thrashing by Mali and an exit from the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.

In their last two engagements, Kenya won 2-0 and 1-0 respectively, but the team has been growing in leaps and bounds.

Beating Congo 2-1 away was one of their highlights in the qualifiers despite losing the rest of the fixtures against heavyweights Egypt, Mali and Gambia.

Tyson Otieno included in Harambee Stars squad ahead of South Sudan tie

Tito Okello, now with Police FC in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), scored the winning goal that reverberated across Africa as the Bright Stars threatened to shake the old order and maybe qualify for their maiden AFCON.