Harambee Stars players pose for a photo ahead of their 2014 FIFA WCQ away match against Nigeria in March 2013. The match ended 1-1. | image source: dailypost.ng
Today will see the Harambee Stars begin the attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever at the 12th time of asking with a match away to Mauritius.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the CAF region will begin today with five matches that will be played across the continent.
The next world cup, which will be held in Russia, is 977 days and perhaps there could not be an apt occasion for the adage, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
It is another journey that sees the nation hoping and wishing that this time round, Harambee Stars will go all the way.
The previous 11th attempts are littered with painful exits at the hands of superior opponents and at times humiliating defeats to minnows that would have been easily avoided.
With just hours to kick off to the match, it is not too late too look back to what we believe are the top five memorable performances by the Harambee Stars in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
1). Kenya v. Ethiopia, 1986 FIFA World Qualifiers
Kenya defeated Ethiopia 5-4 on aggregate in two epic encounters that saw Harambee Stars digging deep for a result.
In the first match played in Nairobi on October 13 1984, all seemed well for Ethiopia as the two teams were tied 1-1 at halftime with JJ Masiga and Mulugeta Kabede scoring for either side. However Kenya had the last laugh as they scored a winner in the second half through Sam Tabu.
In the return leg on October 28 that year, Ethiopia once again seemed to be at an advantageous position after taking a 2-0 lead at halftime. Kenya however turned tables in the second half and scored three goals as Ethiopia added only one and the match ended 3-3.
Nigeria however lay in wait for Harambee Stars in the second round and they were eliminated 6-1 on aggregate with the late Rashidi Yekini scoring his first ever goal for Nigeria.
2). Kenya v. Liberia, 1990 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Despite finishing last in their qualifying group that also had Egypt, Malawi and Liberia, Kenya manage to collect five points after managing one win (2 points at the time), 3 draws and two defeats.
The final table does not paint the whole picture of Kenya's exploits in that qualifiers as Kenya put themselves on the brink of qualification following a 1-0 win over George Weah's Liberia in their penultimate qualifier match.
Kenya won the match 1-0 in Nairobi courtesy of a George Onyango stunner that saw them rise to third in the group with five points as Egypt and Liberia were joint top with 6 points.
The result meant that Kenya would have qualified for the World Cup if they won their away match against Egypt but it was not to be as the Pharoahs won the match 2-0 and boarded the plane to Italia '90.
3). Kenya v. Algeria, 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Perhaps the most famous performance by the Harambee Stars in their bid to participate in the world's biggest football showpiece.
Vojoslav Gardasevic is a name that sparks fond memories among Kenyan football fans of old as he masterminded what is without doubt the best performance by a Kenyan team against a North African side.
Many hearts must have sunk when it was confirmed that Kenya would square it out with Algeria in the first round of the 1998 FIFA World Qualifiers.
Elimination would have meant that Kenya would have to wait for another four years to try to qualify for the World Cup and hence the match was in every way a do or die encounter.
The first leg match played in Nairobi saw Kenya racing to a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Vincent Kwarula (58'), Henry Motego (penalty 63') and Musa Otieno (87'). Algeria got their away goal through Sid Ahmed Zerrouki (78').
The return leg saw Kenya pack the bus of the century as Algeria managed only a 1-0 win and Kenya made it to the next round with a 3-2 aggregate score.
4). Kenya v. Burkina Faso, 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
The late 1990s were memorable years for Kenyan football as Harambee Stars staged yet another brave attempt at world cup qualifying.
Who will ever forget the "Reinhardt Fabisch for President" chants as the late German coach led Harambee Stars through a qualifying campaign that saw Kenya win thrice, draw once and lost twice.
The two defeats came away to Nigeria (3-0) and Guinea (3-1) and the draw came at home to Nigeria (1-1).
One of the most epic matches from those qualifiers came against Kenya's other opponents, Burkina Faso, who Kenya beat 4-3 in Nairobi and 4-2 away.
The 4-3 match which was played in April 1997, saw Kenya comeback from two goals down twice with Mike Okoth scoring a hat-trick.
5). Kenya v. Nigeria, 2014 FIFA World Qualifiers
Kenya's attempt at qualifying for Brazil was disastrous but at least Harambee Stars provided a beautiful memory in which they drew 1-1 away to then African Champions, Nigeria.
Kenya's goal was scored in the first half by Francis Kahata whose sweet left foot freekick proved too much for Nigeria's superstar goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama too handle.
Harambee Stars were just seconds away from a famous win before Nnamdi Oduamadi stole a point for Nigeria at the death.
It was in this match that David Owino sealed legendary status among Harambee Stars fans as he muzzled Nigeria's winger Victor Moses. His performance earned him the nickname "Calabar" in tribute to where the match was played.
You can relive that match by watching the video below.