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Firat was in South Africa in the stands to watch Emerging Stars' performances at the 2024 COSAFA Cup in South Africa and hinted at being impressed by their performances
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has hinted at being impressed by some of the player performances he witnessed at the 2024 COSAFA Cup in South Africa, which Kenya participated in.
Kenya were invited to replace Malawi, who had to withdraw in order to honour the death of their Vice President Saulos Chilima, who passed away tragically following a plane accident.
Kenya intentionally decided to pick a squad of mostly U-23 players, in order to help them gain experience at a high level, although they also included some overage players, but who are still young enough to show they are ready to be trusted at international level.
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19:45 - 06.07.2024
Stars Abroad: Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma on song as Elfsborg win big in Swedish topflight clash
The Harambee Stars midfielder was dominant in midfield as Swedish giants IF Elfsborg comfortably dispatched IF Brommapojkarna on Saturday.
At the tournament, there were several standout players. Although only 15 of the 23 players gained playing time, only 12 played significant minutes.
Most standout players included Austin Odhiambo, Byrne Omondi, Benson Omala, Patrick Otieno, Kayci Odhiambo, Alphonce Omija and Sylvester Owino.
Speaking to Pulse Sports, Firat revealed that the tournament helped him have a deeper understanding of the players, and he now has a clear picture of who he will likely bring into the main side when the AFCON 2025 qualifiers commence in September.
“It was a good tournament for me to see those who had not been getting alot of gametime in the main team, as well as some new players I wanted to see at a higher level,” Firat said.
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13:44 - 04.07.2024
Austin Odhiambo and five big winners from Kenya's COSAFA Cup escapade
The five biggest winners from Kenya's participation at the 2024 COSAFA Cup
“I saw enough about the players that played there and now have a clear idea on who I can invite when the next international window emerges.”
Kenya’s sojourn to the 2024 COSAFA Cup might not have been all in vain, as they were drawn with two nations from the Southern African region in the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Stars have been drawn with Namibia and Zimbabwe, as well as five-time champions Cameroon for the qualifiers of next year’s showpiece, which will be played in Morocco in December.
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09:27 - 04.07.2024
Five big losers from Kenya's 2024 COSAFA Cup participation
Here are the five biggest losers from Emerging Stars' participation at the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
Kenya beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in their final Group B match of the tournament.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2025 competition. Kenya is seeking a return to the tournament after missing the qualifiers for this year’s event due to a FIFA suspension.
Harambee Stars last featured at the AFCON in Egypt in 2019.
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