Harambee Stars shoot 43 places up in Fifa World Rankings

Harambee Stars fans celebrate a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Kenya and Republic of Congo at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on June 5, 2016. Stars won 2-1. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • The leap can be attributed to Harambee Stars’ impressive 2-1 win over Republic of Congo in the African Cup of Nations qualifier last month
  • This is the highest rank that Kenya has achieved this year

The national football team Harambee Stars on Thursday shot up 43 places from position 129 to 86 in the latest Fifa world rankings.

The leap can be attributed to Harambee Stars’ impressive 2-1 win over the Republic of Congo in the African Cup of Nations qualifier last month, even though the result did not change Kenya’s qualifying chances for next year’s continental showpiece.

Reacting to the news, Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said that he was elated by the improvement and remained positive that Kenya can soar higher in the world rankings.

“This is definitely good news for any football stake holder,” Mwendwa told Daily Nation Sport.

“It shows that we are capable of attaining even better positions if we commit ourselves to proper planning and hard work.”

“Imagine we have moved 43 places up with just one match. Imagine what we can achieve in the coming years if we create a culture of responsibility, accountability and hard work.”

This is the highest rank that Kenya has achieved this year, although the national team broke into the top 100 positions in February in position 99 despite remaining dormant in the preceding two months.