Kenya slipped lower on the latest Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings released on Thursday after a dismal performance in the latest round of qualifiers.
As of Thursday, November 28, Harambee Stars ranked in position 108 worldwide, two places down from position 106, which they recorded in October.
The drop can largely be attributed to Engin Firat’s side’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – the most prestigious football competition on the continent.
Kenya finished third in Group J behind Cameroon and Zimbabwe after a series of dismal results summed up by a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe. The latest 0-0 draw against Namibia was more of a formality as the Stars’ failure to qualify for AFCON had already been confirmed.
An image of the Harambee Stars vs Cameroon game at Mandela Stadium in Namboole on Monday, October 14, 2024. PHOTO/ @OleTeya
In what was a torrid last few months for Harambee Stars, the team also suffered a 2-0 defeat and a 1-1 draw against South Sudan in the first round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification.
Kenya, however, had already booked the ticket for the championship as a co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
As far as East Africa is concerned, Uganda slipped one place to 88th place but remained the highest-ranking country in the Cecafa region. Morocco, meanwhile, is the highest-ranking team in Africa, sitting in 14th place.
The biggest improver in East Africa is Tanzania which leapfrogged Kenya after moving from position 112 to 106.
Notably, the Taifa Stars sealed second place in Group H in the AFCON qualifiers, effectively securing a ticket to Morocco next year.
Overall, 2022 World Cup winners Argentina remains the top squad on the FIFA rankings, with France and Spain sitting in second and third place respectively.
The bigger picture: Harambee Stars’ failure to qualify or AFCON has come with its own wave of uncertainty, particularly regarding the future of the coach Engin Firat.
In the wake of the latest draw against Namibia, Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen said the ministry would cease funding Firat’s contract.
“I am aware of the agreement between FKF and the coach, which stipulates that failure to qualify for AFCON would lead to disengagement,” Murkomen said during the unveiling of the NYC National Election Steering Committee
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat. PHOTO/ Kipchumba Murkomen.