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Here are our ratings of Harambee Stars players after Kenya lost to Gabon in their opening World Cup qualifying match.
Harambee Stars kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in disappointing fashion, losing 2-1 to Gabon after initially scoring the opening goal.
Some of the players who featured in the game struggled to justify their selection, although a couple did make good use of the chance presented to them.
Here are our player ratings from the Kenya's unfortunate loss away in Franceville:
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21:30 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars suffer late heartbreak as Gabon come from behind to secure victory in Franceville
Kenya paid the price for a poor second-half display as the Panthers of Gabon came from behind to collect all points in their 2026 World Cup qualifier
Patrick Matasi -3
Patrick Matasi showed why he has not been the first-choice goalkeeper since the start of the year with his shaky display against Gabon.
Although he did not have a particularly bad display individually, he did not have a very good one either, and it is a display that he will want to forget quickly.
He could not do much about the second goal, but you could argue he should have done much better with the first one.
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18:00 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Michael Olunga finally reacts to social media critics following recent Harambee Stars profligacy
Olunga has finally responded to social media critics following his recent goalless performances for Harambee Stars ahead Harambee Stars’ clash with Gabon.
Amos Nondi -4
Amos Nondi will want to forget his display at right back especially against Dennis Bouanga.
The Ararat Armenia defender was ruined and embarrassed by Bouanga, who kept running at him until his perseverance eventually paid dividends as Kenya squandered their lead to lose 2-1 to the Panthers. It is not a game he will look back fondly at.
He however ended the game with an assist, floating in a long cross that was mistimed by the keeper to present Masud Juma with the chance to head the ball into an open net.
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17:00 - 13.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat blasts ignorant Kenyans for ‘destroying’ Omala in race for Harambee Stars starting berth
The Harambee Stars coach expressed his displeasure at Kenyan fans who have been pushing for captain Michael Olunga to be dropped in favour of Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala
Abud Omar -5
Stepping in for Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma, Omar was actually one of the better defenders on the night. Omar stopped a goal destined to get into the back of the net with a brilliant clearance and generally dealt well with the threat of Gabon's right winger.
Dennis Ng’ang’a -5
Making his debut, the former Gor Mahia defender did not look too bad, although he initially struggled to get used to the pace of the game at the start. He will be disappointed his first game ended in defeat.
Johnstone Omurwa -4
Omurwa did not have a good game and was at fault for the first goal, as it was his missed header that led to Gabon equalizing through Buanga in the 60th minute after a long ball was sent over the top.
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07:20 - 14.11.2023
FKFPL Engin Firat fires back at Olunga critics: 'Everybody in the Middle East knows Michael!
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat defends Michael Olunga, suggests critics try PlayStation if they don't understand his performance.
He looked lost in the absence of his partner Joseph Okumu, and must improve against Seychelles.
Richard Odada -4
Richard Odada had probably his worst performance since debuting for Harambee Stars. Normally able to dictate the tempo of a game, he was pressed out of the game and could get into the game.
Anthony Akumu -4
The former Gor Mahia man looked lost and as terrible as Odada was on the day. He even earned a booking after fouling one of the Panthers players in the second half.
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11:45 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat gives detailed Harambee Stars' plan for crunch Gabon fixture amidst injury crisis
Firat has revealed how he has prepared Harambee Stars to deal with the threat of Gabon despite having some of his key players unavailable due to injury.
Masud Juma -7
Masud Juma scored his second goal in as many international matches after he got on the end of an Amos Nondi cross in the first half.
He gets a seven for his goal, but generally had an average performance otherwise.
Rooney Onyango -8
Kenya’s best player on the night. Rooney Onyango looked a threat with his crosses in the first half but was unfortunate not to find any of his teammates in the box.
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14:39 - 15.11.2023
FOOTBALL Masoud Juma expresses thoughts on playing as winger for Harambee Stars
Juma, who made a name for himself as a goal-getting center forward, has been playing as a winger for Harambee Stars despite it not being his main position.
He should have had an assist when he whipped in a good ball to Michael Olunga, but the Al Duhail striker’s resultant header was saved by the Gabon substitute keeper.
Amidst what ended up being a bad day in the office, Onyango can look back at his performance with pride.
Kenneth Muguna - 2
The Kenya Police FC midfielder just could not get going and looked ghosted all game. He could not link the midfield to the attack in possession, and his substitution was probably justified.
Michael Olunga -4
Olunga has now gone six matches without finding the back of the net for Harambee Stars, but he did have a relatively good display linking up the play and trying to bring others into the game. However, he will need to start scoring very quickly.
Substitutes
Duke Abuya - 3
Abuya came on as a substitute for Muguna but struggled to influence the game despite having enough minutes to change the game.
Daniel Sakari -N/A
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06:00 - 17.11.2023
FKFPL Murang’a Seal head coach adamant of clinching league title after draw against Gor Mahia
The Murang’a Seal coach believes his side have what it takes to clinch the title in their debut top flight season after a brilliant first 11 games that sees them level on points with Gor Mahia.
Alfred Scrivren -N/A
Ayub Timbe - N/A
Timothy Ouma -N/A
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