Latest FIFA rankings: Harambee Stars up three spots

Harambee Stars players protest a red card during a past match against Ghana at Kasarani Stadium. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars have moved up three spots in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, October 22.

Kenya now sits in position 103 with 1205 points, four behind Libya and one ahead of Palestine.

The rise could be attributed to Harambee Stars’ win against former AFCON champions Zambia in their recent friendly match played on October 9, 2020, at the refurbished Nyayo National Stadium.

Up next for the team is a two-legged Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Comoros on November 12, and November 15, 2020.

Uganda is the highest-ranked nation from the CECAFA region with 1321 points in 78th position.

The highest-ranked African nation remains Sadio Mane’s Senegal in 21st position, followed by Tunisia in 26th and Algeria in 30th.

Nigeria and Morocco complete the African top 5 in 32nd and 39th positions respectively.

Harambee Stars fans at Kasarani Stadium in a past match. [Photo: Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Belgium, world champions France and Brazil complete the top three, with England, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and Colombia making it into the top 10 in that order.

Newly appointed Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee said on Wednesday the main objective at the moment is qualifying for the 2021 AFCON tournament.

The experienced tactician was hired by Football Kenya Federation on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

“It’s a good thing that the Federation has shown confidence in what I can do. I have been following the team in recent times and I see a lot of quality in the team,” said coach Mulee.

His first assignment is set to be the upcoming two-legged Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Comoros next month.

The first leg will be played at Kasarani Stadium on November 11, 2020, at 7 pm, under floodlights, while the second leg has been slated for November 15, 2020, away.

Kenya is second in Group G of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers with two points, off identical 1-1 draws with Togo and Egypt.

Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee being unveiled as Harambee Stars head coach by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa after signing a three-year deal at Safari Park hotel on October 21, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]