National football team Harambee Stars face off with arch-rivals Uganda in the opening round of World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers on Thursday, a match that, though of great significance, has been everything except vibrant in the build-up to the encounter that will take place at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The Cranes sneaked into the country on Monday night, two days before the match, as Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee got his charges fully-constituted with the arrival of Qatar-based talismanic skipper Michael Olunga and midfielder Richard Odada, who jetted in from Sweden.

With veteran Victor Wanyama absent, forward Olunga will be expected to lead Kenya’s charge to make it for their maiden World Cup appearance next year.

It is yet to be seen whether Mulee will hand Odada his senior debut following his impressive form with the national Under-20 side.

Olunga joined Zambia-based goalkeeper Ian Otieno, defender Eric Ouma (Sweden), Masud Juma and Kenneth Muguna.

Stars played a friendly match with Kenyan champions Tusker, winning 1-0 while their rivals Uganda lost 2-1 to neighbours Ethiopia in their only build-up match over the weekend.

PHOTO/COURTESY