Harambee Stars will take on Russia at the Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey on Monday, 16 October 2023 in an international friendly. The match kicks off at 7 pm East African Time.
We go again!!
⚽ Russia 🇷🇺 vs 🇰🇪 #HarambeeStars
📅 Monday, October 16, 2023
🏟 Titanic Sports Complex
📍 Antalya, Turkey 🇹🇷
⌚ 7 pm EAT pic.twitter.com/E3JT69XWQN— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) October 15, 2023
Kenya will be playing their only game of the international break. Their last friendly was against South Sudan in September which ended in a 0-1 defeat. Harambee Stars will kick-start their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month against Gabon and Seychelles, making this match with Russia a preparatory one.
Meanwhile, since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been banned from competitive international football and have resorted to playing only friendlies. Their last one was against Cameroon last Thursday which they won 1-0 with Fyodor Chalov scoring the only goal of the game in the 40th minute.
Harambee Stars team news ahead of Russia clash
The invited Harambee Stars for Monday’s historic international friendly match against Russia are fit except Ayub Timbe.
Timbe picked up a swollen ankle in camp and will wait to pass a late fitness test to determine whether he could make the starting lineup or at least the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, brilliant defender Daniel Anyembe, who played a key role in Kenya’s most recent friendly matches against Qatar and South Sudan, has been ruled out.
The rest of the squad are fit and ready for the match set to be played on Monday evening.
This will be Kenya’s final test match ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which begins next month.
Harambee Stars vs Russia predicted lineups
Here is how we think these teams will line up in this historic friendly match:
Harambee Stars
Bryne Odhiambo; Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari; Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango; Masoud Juma, Michael Olunga.
Russia
Matvey Safonov; Sergey Volkov, Maksim Osipenko, Aleksandr Soldatenkov, Aleksandr Silyanov; Daniil Glebov, Dmitriy Barinov, Daler Kuzyaev; Ivan Oblyakov, Fedor Chalov, Sergey Pinyaev.
Harambee Stars vs Russia confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Harambee Stars vs Russia predictions
Prediction 1: Russia to reign supreme
Russia have participated in seven friendlies since last year and have gone unbeaten in all of them. Four of the games have come in 2023, with Russia winning and drawing twice each. Their last piece of action was a 1-0 win over Cameroon on Thursday. On the other hand, Kenya has played five games in 2023, winning twice and losing thrice. Considering all these, we're backing Sbornaya to reign supreme.
Prediction 2: Both teams to score
Valeri Karpin's side have scored in their last four games while Harambee Stars have scored in three of their five games in 2023. It is not unusual for teams to score each other during a friendly game. We fancy Engin Firat's men to find the back of the net as much as we think Russia will score too.
Prediction 3: Less than three goals
Our last prediction for this friendly is on the over/under goal market. These teams have not been particularly goal-scoring in recent times. While Kenya have played five times this year, Russia have played six times; Only two of Harambee Stars' five matches have gone over 2.5 while just one of the six Russia friendly games have produced at least three goals. We strongly back this affair to end with a maximum of two goals.
Harambee Stars vs Russia head-to-head
This clash is going to be a historic one as Russia and Kenya have not previously met.
Harambee Stars form
Harambee Stars 0-1 South Sudan (12/09) – Friendly
Qatar 1-2 Harambee Stars (07/09) – Friendly
Mauritius 1-0 Harambee Stars (18/06) – Friendly
Pakistan 0-1 Harambee Stars (14/06) – Friendly
Iran 2-1 Harambee Stars (28/03) – Friendly
Russia form
Russia 1-0 Cameroon (12/10) – Friendly
Qatar 1-1 Russia (12/09) – Friendly
Egypt U23 2-1 Russia (11/09) – Friendly
Egypt U23 1-1 Russia (07/09) – Friendly
Russia 2-0 Iraq (26/03) – Friendly
Where to watch Harambee Stars vs Russia live
The Harambee Stars vs Russia friendly game is expected to be live on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) channel one and the build up to the contest will be from about one hour to the contest, which is 6 pm local time.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
