Kenya has struggled for many years to impress on the international football scene due to mismanagement and corruption issues.
When Nick Mwendwa replaced Sam Nyamweya, football fans hoped for a better future for Harambee Stars.
However, very little has changed since he was first sworn into office.
Also Read: Meet Monaco Star Who Is Eligible to Play for Kenya
Despite a myriad of challenges, Kenya has numerous talented players, both born inside and outside the country, who have the potential to take Harambee Stars to the FIFA World Cup.
TeamKenya.co.ke takes a look at three youngsters who can transform Harambee Stars if the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) acts quickly and give them their maiden call-ups.
Eliot Matazo
Eliot Matazo is currently playing professional football at Ligue 1 side Monaco.
He was born in Belgium and his mother is from the Nyanza region.
Although Matazo has played some games for the Belgian youth teams, he is still eligible to play for Kenya.
The 20-year-old has made 12 appearances for Monaco this season, picking up two yellow cards.
He was among the European youngsters who were nominated for the 2022 golden boy award alongside the likes of Arsenal mercurial forward Bukayo Saka and FC Barcelona’s Gavi.
Linton Maina
Another star player with Kenyan roots who can transform Harambee Stars is Linton Maina.
The forward currently plays for Bundesliga side FC Koln and is currently enjoying a form of his life.
He has so far scored two goals and provided five assists for FC Koln in the 2022/2023 season.
Similar to Matazo, Maina has made a couple of appearances for the German youth teams.
The 23-year-old is eligible to play for Harambee Stars since he is yet to make an appearance for the German senior squad.
Micah Obonyo Obiero.
The 21-year-old was born in London, England.
He is the son of ex-Kenyan international Henry Obiero and is yet to receive a call-up to the national team.
The gifted forward who currently plays for Wealdstone previously had a stint with the English Championship side Huddersfield Town FC.