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The two nations will lock horns on Monday evening in what will be their first meeting in football ever.
Kenya’s international friendly against Russia has been a way to strengthen ties with the nation geopolitically despite the latter nation’s ban by UEFA and FIFA from taking part in international tournaments due to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
This is according to The Athletic, who spoke to Simon Chadwick, a professor of sport and geopolitical economy at the SKEMA Business School in Paris.
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21:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Antony ‘Teddy’ Akumu’s rallying message to Kenyans with everything set for Harambee Stars’ crucial friendly against Russia
The former Gor Mahia hero has sent a message to Harambee Stars fans with the side set to face Russia on Monday.
In March this year, a trade pact was agreed between both nations after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov visited Nairobi, with Kenya a significant importer of fertilizers and grain.
The government launched the fertilizer subsidy program this year, which now sees farmers buy fertilizer for Ksh.3,500 down from Ksh.6,500 in efforts to lower the current high costs of living.
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19:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars: Anyembe ruled out, Timbe doubtful for Kenya’s friendly with Russia
Harambee Stars will be without defender Daniel Anyembe during Monday’s friendly match against Russia while winger Ayub Timbe will need to pass a late fitness test
Given Russia’s decimated influence in Europe, the country has decided to take gradual control of Africa through different ways including football, as they have already played against two African nations, Cameroon recently and the Egypt U23s in March.
“Russia is all over Africa right now,” Chadwick said. “Whether we’re talking about traditional nations, like Angola, who have had long-term relations with the Soviet Union, or Burkina Faso, Eritrea and Sudan, where there’s intense competition for economic and political influence,” he added.
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11:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba defends Firat over Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala’s Harambee Stars snub
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has come to the defence of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat after he was accused of ‘favouritism’ for not selecting Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala
“It sets football in the context of a much bigger geopolitical and economic battle. There’s something about influence, power and control in Africa, with football used as an instrument of policy to build influence.”
Monday’s friendly against Kenya is also significant for its location. A short warm-weather training camp will take place in the Turkish resort of Antalya before a friendly is staged at the Mardan Sports Complex. Russia playing in a European outpost might have been considered unthinkable 12 months ago.
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11:00 - 14.10.2023
FOOTBALL Full house at Harambee Stars camp as Portugal-based defender joins ranks in Turkey
Portugal-based defender completes the Harambee Stars' training camp in Turkey, marking a full house ahead of the Russia friendly.
Eyebrows have been raised as to why Turkey, a NATO member, is playing host to Tuesday’s game with Kenya in Antalya, a coastal city traditionally popular with Russian tourists.
“There’s a peculiar relationship between Turkey and Russia,” explained Chadwick. “On the one hand, Turkey is a NATO member. But on the other hand, relations between Ankara and Moscow are reasonably good.
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08:32 - 13.10.2023
FOOTBALL Firat explains why he excluded Elvis Rupia from Harambee Stars squad for Russia test
Engin Firat has explained why he dropped Elvis Rupia from the squad despite starting him in the previous assignments against Qatar and South Sudan.
“My interpretation of this is not necessarily two willing allies coming together — from a Russian perspective, this an opportunity to drive a wedge between Turkey and the West because inevitably it comes with some sensitivities and controversy.
“It does challenge UEFA and Europe to see Turkey placed next to Russia in this way. It’s more geopolitically provocative than simply having the Russian national team playing in front of Russian tourists in Antalya.
11:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba defends Firat over Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala’s Harambee Stars snub
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has come to the defence of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat after he was accused of ‘favouritism’ for not selecting Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala
“Russian motives tend to be malign. There’s no sense of benevolence or commercial opportunity. There’ll be a malign reason underpinning that game in Turkey.”
The game may be held in Turkey in part because Kenya head coach Engin Firat comes from Turkey, and given his strong ties with the country's FA, it could explain why the game is taking place in the nation.
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