NAIROBI, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national team Harambee Stars' first batch of players jetted out Saturday for Ethiopia to face host soccer team in the Africa Nations Cup qualifier match on Wednesday.
A contingent of seven including five players and national head coach Sebastian Migne will be the first in Ethiopia before a legion of foreign based players and second batch of local players join them on Monday.
Kenya faces two matches in one week against Ethiopia and coach Migne said they have no choice but to win.
However, their qualification process has been complicated after world football governing body, FIFA suspended Sierra Leone from the campaign.
It leaves just three teams in Group F meaning that all the teams will forfeit the points earned against Sierra Leone in the qualifiers.
Kenya, which had lost 2-1 in Freetown in 2017, will get a reprieve as it will lose no points. However, Ethiopia, who beat the West African side 2-1 last month, will forfeit their points.
It means both Kenya and Ghana hold three points apiece while Ethiopia is bottom with no points from Group F. Kenya needs three more points against Ethiopia to seal at least number two spot from this group.
Migne says focus should be on Ethiopia and believes his team will have no problems traveling to Bahir Dar in Ethiopia.
The second batch will travel on Monday, with foreign-based players also set to link up with the team in Ethiopia on the same day.
The coach expressed optimism that Harambee Stars will give a good account of themselves.
He said captain Victor Wanyama's inclusion is a big boost to the team's pursuit for a second appearance at the continental showpiece in the last two decade.
"Of course it won't be easy against Ethiopia since they are also equally strong, but my players are up to the task and I am confident we will get a positive result," said Migne.
"We won against Ghana without our captain, it will be morale boosting for us to also win with him. He is one of our most experienced players and will be crucial for us against Ethiopia."
The match has been slated for Wednesday in Bahir Dar, with the return leg set to be played on Sunday, Oct. 14 in Nairobi.
