Kenyans can already see themselves in 2022 World Cup after ‘fair’ draw

The Harambee Stars will try qualify for the 2022 World Cup [COURTESY]

For the 13^th consecutive time in their history, the Kenya men’s national football team will try qualify for the elusive FIFA World Cup.

Kenyans, who were glued to the edge of their seats as the African qualification draw went on Tuesday, January 21, could not hide their excitement after seeing who the Harambee Stars would face.

Kenya, slotted in Group E, will take on Mali, Uganda and Rwanda in the second round of qualifying, news which was received warmly by football faithful countrywide.

Only the winner of the group will be guaranteed a place in the final phase of the qualifiers.

Kenya's Michael Olunga in action in a past match [COURTESY]

Teams in the 10 groups will play each other both home and away, with the winners advancing to the final play-off round, which decides the five teams that will represent Africa at the showpiece event.

Group matches will be staged between October 5, 2020 and October 4, 2021.

The draw as held at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, Egypt.

Harambee Stars came close to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup but fell short after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Cape Verde in the second round of qualifying.

On social media, Kenyans’ excitement stood out, with fans projecting Harambee Stars chances at the event.

Here are some reactions captured on social media:

Fair but tricky draw for Harambee Stars in 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
A big opportunity for Kenya to make it to the WC for the first time@CAF_Online #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/KVxf4D73bT — Vincent Voiyoh (@vincentvoiyoh) January 21, 2020

Harambee Stars will qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup. — The Andy Guy ™ (@anddiye) January 21, 2020

Harambee Stars journey for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers depends on performance against Group E opponents.
Kenya is grouped alongside
Uganda,Rwanda and Mali pic.twitter.com/hMsx4RIOAR — Conrad Stockmann???????? (@conradkeya) January 21, 2020

It is possible @Nmwendwa It is possible @harambee__stars It is possible @VictorWanyama@OgadaOlunga
Group E
Mali
Uganda
Kenya
Rwanda

Qatar 2022 world cup qualifiers.

All the best Boys. pic.twitter.com/GV0EqAKzD9 — PASTOR BALOZI GODFREY ASHIALI (@BALOZIASHIALI) January 21, 2020

Izo #WCQ Zinaanza kuamuliwa saa ngapi? @harambee__stars @Football_Kenya World cup lazima tujaribu — Ndubi (@agostinondubi) January 21, 2020

FULL DRAW BELOW:

Full draw [COURTESY]

Group A

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Djibouti

Group B

Tunisia, Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea

Group C

Nigeria, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Liberia

Group D

Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Malawi

Group E

Mali, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda

Group F

Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Angola

Group G

Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia

Group H

Senegal, Congo Brazzaville, Namibia, Togo

Group I

Morocco, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan

Group J

DR Congo, Benin, Madagascar, Tanzania