As the countdown to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt continues, most of the 24 qualified teams are putting the finishing touches on their preparation programs. Among them, Kenya has taken decisive steps to ensure optimal readiness for the continental showpiece by selecting France as the location for its pre-tournament training camp and friendly matches.
The Kenyan national team, popularly known as the Harambee Stars, will be based in France from May 30 to June 17 as part of an intensive preparation phase ahead of the tournament. Under the guidance of head coach Sébastien Migné, a Frenchman who knows the local football environment well, Kenya aims to combine quality training facilities with competitive opposition to sharpen its squad before heading to Egypt.
Several options are currently being considered for the team’s training base in France. These include Marcoussis, the prestigious national football center used regularly by the French national team, Lisses in the Essonne region, and Le Touquet, located in the Pas-de-Calais. Each of these locations offers modern infrastructure, excellent pitches, and a calm environment conducive to focused preparation. A final decision on the exact base is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
In addition to training sessions, the Harambee Stars have lined up two international friendly matches to test their progress and tactical setup. Kenya will face Madagascar on June 7 in what promises to be a useful encounter against a fellow African side that has also shown significant improvement in recent years. A second friendly match is scheduled against Uganda, Kenya’s East African rivals, to be played on either June 14 or 15. This regional derby is expected to provide a competitive and high-intensity test just days before the squad’s departure for Egypt.
These friendly matches will allow coach Sébastien Migné to evaluate his players under match conditions, finalize his preferred starting lineup, and address any remaining tactical or physical issues. They will also serve as a chance for fringe players to stake a claim for inclusion in the final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya’s qualification for the 2019 AFCON was confirmed on December 3 following the disqualification of Sierra Leone. The decision opened the door for the Harambee Stars to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament for the first time since 2004, ending a 15-year absence from the finals. The qualification was celebrated as a major achievement for Kenyan football and raised expectations among fans and officials alike.
With the expanded 24-team format of the Africa Cup of Nations, Kenya will be hoping to make a positive impression on its return to the continental stage. The choice of France for preparations reflects the federation’s ambition to provide the team with the best possible conditions ahead of a demanding tournament.
As preparations intensify across Africa, Kenya’s training camp and friendly matches in France represent a crucial step in building confidence, cohesion, and competitiveness as the Harambee Stars aim to make their mark at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
