FKF approached me ahead of 2019 Afcon, by I was injured, says Danish-born Anyembe

Harambee Stars call-up in right full-back Daniel Francis Anyembe would have made a debut for the national team as early as 2019 when it took a stab in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt after a 15-year wait.

Anyembe, who is among the foreign players that Stars Coach Engin Firat summoned for the friendly against Iran last night, revealed that Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials had been enticing him to join Stars for the last couple of years but the arrangement fell through due to an injury.

The 24-year-old who was born in Denmark to a Danish mother and a Kenyan father said: “I would have accepted the offer were it not for the injury which has since healed. All along, I have been yearning to don the national team colours and I must say this opportunity is God-sent,”

Anyembe said he hopes to reciprocate the trust bestowed on him by the team’s Coach Engin Firat.

“The welcome I received in Kenya was overwhelming. He (Firat) told me that he has been watching vid-eos of me playing and that I have the potential to play for the national team.  When the time came I was not in doubt, I wanted to play for Kenya and I did not need much convincing”

He went on: “It’s a good challenge and personally, I think the match against Iran will be an ideal build-up considering they are perennial campaigners at the World Cup. Obviously, this is the forum to show just what’s up my sleeves.”

He added: “If we keep on being involved in high intensive training, trust me we shall do well moving forward but for now, let me try to work hard in making sure I live up to my promise to Firat to express myself.” 

Anyembe was born in Esbjerg, and started playing football for Esbjerg IF 92.

In 2009, he joined partner club Esbjerg fB where he progressed through their youth academy.

On 20 September 2016, Esbjerg fB confirmed that they had extended Anyembe’s contract to one year until 2018. He would continue to play for their under-19 squad.

Anyembe made his debut for Esbjerg on 8 November 2016 against Middelfart in the Danish Cup, a match which Esbjerg won 1–0.