Govt. hires private plane to fly Harambee Stars to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has sent off Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, to commence their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification matches in a private plane from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the morning of November 15, 2023.
The fully kitted team lined up on the tarmac, shook the CS’s hand, and then proceeded to board the private plane as CS Namwamba and Coach Engin Firat conversed as well.
In his statement, CS Namwamba said the government was fully behind Harambee Stars, having facilitated them to participate in level-building international friendly matches, and will now be participating in international competitive matches for the first time in two years.
“Government, through the Ministry of Sports, has fully supported the team with good level build-up friendlies, including against World Cup teams Russia, Qatar and Iran. The boys have been in a quality residential camp for the required time. Player allowances and technical bench dues have been sorted. We have chattered a private aircraft to fly the team directly to the two crucial assignments in Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire where Seychelles is hosting their game.
I have urged the boys to put their best foot forward for Kenya and committed handsome cash rewards for every 3 points they nail in these qualifiers. Our prayers and best wishes to the boys. C’mon #HarambeeStars 🇰🇪,” said CS Namwamba.
Depending on the size of the aircraft, number of passengers and the distance to be covered, chartering a private plane in Kenya can cost anywhere between $2,000 (Sh 304,000) and $17,000 (Sh 2,585,700) an hour.
Kenya will attempt to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and will compete against Gabon, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Seychelles, and Gambia.
The winning team from this pool will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico.
Kenya will face off with Gabon on November 16, 2023, at Stade de la Renovation de Franceville, Gabon, then later face off with Seychelles on November 20, 2023, at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the request of Seychelles.
The team expressed confidence that they would win these matches.
FIFA banned Kenya’s participation in competitive international football matches during former Sports cabinet secretary Amina Mohammed’s reign.
The ban followed continued government ‘interference’ in football matters as well as corruption and embezzlement allegations at the Football Kenya Federation under President Nick Mwendwa’s regime. Upon his appointment to the Sports docket, CS Namwamba hit the ground running fixing the messes and giving assurances to FIFA and this led to the ban being lifted.
Kenya has beaten Qatar 2-1 in Doha, drawn 2-2 with Russia in Turkey, and then surprisingly lost 1-0 to South Sudan and Mauritius in some of the qualification matches.
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