Kenya has officially unveiled its preparation program for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the Harambee Stars’ return to the tournament after a fifteen-year absence. Under the guidance of coach Sébastien Migné, Victor Wanyama’s teammates began preparations on Monday at the Kasarani International Sports Centre in Nairobi.
This first training camp in Nairobi will run until May 31, allowing the squad to build fitness, assess players, and work on tactical cohesion. Following this, the team will travel to France, where they will continue preparations at a second camp in Marcoussis, near Paris, providing an opportunity to acclimate to European conditions and further refine strategies ahead of the tournament.
During the European camp, the Harambee Stars have scheduled two friendly matches: against Madagascar on June 7 and Gambia on June 15. These fixtures are expected to provide valuable competitive practice and help finalize the squad before departing for Egypt.
Coach Migné has initially called up 32 players, who will compete for places in the final 23-man squad that will represent Kenya at AFCON 2019. The Harambee Stars have been drawn into Group C, where they will face Algeria, Tanzania, and Senegal, with all group matches taking place in Cairo.
The return to AFCON marks a significant milestone for Kenyan football, as the nation looks to re-establish itself on the continental stage after a long absence. The combination of domestic and overseas-based talent, led by experienced players such as Wanyama, is expected to give the team the balance of skill and leadership needed to compete effectively.
Kenya’s preparation plan reflects a focus on both fitness and tactical readiness. The extended camp in Marcoussis will allow the coaching staff to monitor player form and implement strategies tailored to each group-stage opponent. The two friendly matches will also serve as a final assessment before the team departs for Egypt on June 21, when the Africa Cup of Nations officially begins.
Returning to AFCON after 15 years, the Harambee Stars aim to build momentum from their early matches, establishing themselves as competitive contenders in a challenging group. The program reflects careful planning by the Kenyan Football Federation and coach Migné, who are determined to ensure the squad is fully prepared for the rigors of continental competition.
