NAIROBI, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Plans to have Kenya play Gambia in Paris on June 15 have collapsed and instead Kenya will meet Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Madrid on the same day, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced on Thursday.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa confirmed the change of itinerary for the national football team, which is due to fly out to their training base in Paris on May 31.

Kenya is among the 24 teams that have qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.

"It is unfortunate that our plan to play Gambia did not go through. Instead we have secured a friendly against DRC and it will be played in Madrid, Spain. It is just a one-hour flight from France and the coach is very okay with that," said Mwendwa.

Kenya team, which is coached by Frenchman Sebastien Migne, is returning to the continental football fiesta for the first time in 15 years.

Migne is under pressure to present a strong team and hopes his side will sail through the initial preliminary round.

Kenya is pooled in Group C together with giants Senegal, Algeria and Tanzania.

The top two teams from each of the six groups together with the best four third placed teams will secure passage to the last 16 of the tournament.