The Kenya Men’s National Futsal Team officially embarked on their journey to the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this morning, departing for Swakopmund, Namibia, for a high-stakes first-leg qualifier.
The “Starlets of the Court” are scheduled to face the hosts, Namibia, this Friday, January 23rd, at the iconic Dome in Swakopmund. The team heads south buoyed by a successful final warm-up match against local side ASEC Huruma, a fixture used by the technical bench to sharpen tactical transitions and finalize the travel roster.
Speaking after the friendly against ASEC Huruma, Head Coach James Omondi expressed confidence in the squad’s chemistry following a week of intensive training at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
“The friendly was crucial for us to see how the boys react under pressure and to test our set-piece routines. We have a balanced team that is hungry to make history for Kenya,” Omondi noted.
The sentiment was echoed by Assistant Captain Mike Ochieng and key players Gift Mumo and Kelvin Opiyo, who all emphasized that the team’s morale is at an all-time high.
“We know Namibia will be tough at home, but we have prepared for that atmosphere. Our goal is to get a positive result in Swakopmund to make the return leg in Nairobi more manageable,” said Ochieng.
The Road to Morocco 2026
This qualifier represents a massive opportunity for Kenya to secure a spot in the continental showpiece, which will be hosted in Morocco later this year. The 2026 AFCON also serves as the gateway to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, raising the stakes for both nations.
If Kenya successfully navigates the two-legged tie against Namibia, they will advance to the second and final round of qualifiers to face the experienced Libyan national team in February.
Match Details
Fixture: Namibia vs. Kenya (1st Leg, AFCON Qualifiers)
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Venue: The Dome, Swakopmund, Namibia
Return Leg: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (Nairobi, Kenya)
The Kenyan delegation, led by coach Omondi and supported by a 14-man playing squad, is expected to touch down in Namibia later today to begin acclimatization ahead of Friday’s showdown.
What a fantastic result for the team before heading to Namibia! Wishing them all the best in the upcoming competition.