This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On November 16, 2019, Harambee Stars returned to the country after a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening 2021 Group G Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Team captain Victor Wanyama expressed the team's desire to return to the continental showpiece, saying, "Everyone in the team wants to be at Afcon again and compete and really that is what is pushing us to work hard. Our focus is not on the off-pitch issues, but on the game itself and we gave it our all in Egypt hence the good result."
Wanyama praised the team's new additions, including Lawrence Juma and Cliff Nyakeya, who played a significant role in the game against Egypt.
Head coach Francis Kimanzi echoed Wanyama's comments, promising an even better performance against Togo on Monday.
However, the team's stay in Alexandria was marred by controversy, with the Ministry of Sports and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) engaging in a pull-and-push over the team's accommodations.
FKF president Nick Mwendwa revealed that the Ministry has refused to take care of expenses related to the team's stay at the Safari Park Hotel, instead wanting them to stay at the Stadion Hotel at the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani.
"We will not get caught up with people who want us to fail. We cannot be arguing about bills whenever the team has a game," Mwendwa said.
