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7 years after! Retracing Harambee Stars XI in Kenya’s 2019 AFCON campaign
26th June, 2026 09:27 AM
It has been seven years since Kenya last played in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which stands as their last-ever appearance.
The team under Sebastien Migne was comprised of local and international stars, highlighted by Victor Wanyama, then at Tottenham Hotspur, and Michael Olunga, who finished as Kenya’s leading scorer with two goals.
Stars run in AFCON
Harambee Stars lost 2-0 to Algeria in their opening Group C match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Baghdad Bounedjah opened the scoring for the Desert Foxes in the 34th minute from the penalty spot before Riyad Mahrez doubled the lead in the 43rd minute.
A hard-fighting Kenya went on to lose their second group match against Senegal but bounced back to edge neighbours Tanzania 3-2 to finish third in their group.
In a strange twist of events, Kenya’s group opponents lasted the mile to grace the final, where Algeria edged Senegal to clinch the title.
Active players
Meanwhile, although the majority of the stars’ contingent have since hung up their boots—and others are yet to officially make that decision despite being without a club—some continue to defy the odds. Over half of the starting eleven players, Abud Omar, Musa Mohammed, Eric Johanna, Francis Kahata, and Michael Olunga, are still playing active club football, demonstrating a rare longevity.
Joseph Okumu is still lacing his boots with Ligue 2 side Stade Reims, a year after the club was relegated from the French top flight.
Patrick Matasi was embroiled in a controversial match-fixing scam that rocked Kenya’s qualification campaign in 2025, resulting in a provisional suspension by the FKF.
Victor Wanyama and Dennis Odhiambo, who partnered each other at the heart of midfield, have since transitioned to coaching. The former Harambee Stars skipper announced his retirement early this year, while disclosing he was stepping into football management.
For Odhiambo, an evergreen KPL midfielder during his heydays, he is now a coach at Murang’a Seal, where he hung up his boots and directly ventured into management.
Gor Mahia’s Philemon Otieno just finished his stint, bowing out of the record league champions as a league winner, and it remains to be seen what his next career path will be.
The Starting X1:
Patrick Matasi (GK), Philemon Otieno, Abud Omar, Musa Mohammed, Joseph Okumu, Victor Wanyama, Dennis Odhiambo, Francis Kahata, Eric Johanna, Ayub Timbe, Michael Olunga.
Others in the squad:
Goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo, David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Joash Onyango, Ismael Gonzalez (then based in Spain with Las Palmas), Johanna Omolo (scorer in the 3-2 win over Tanzania), Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, and John Avire.
