Foreign boss lurks as Mwendwa backs Okumbi

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa is optimistic Harambee Stars first coach Stanley Okumbi can turn around the team’s fortunes despite going winless in his three games in charge but has not ruled out hiring a foreign man to lead the team.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Monday, Mwendwa was categorical the technical bench is in the process of developing a team for the future after Okumbi once again came under fire following the side’s limp display in their 1-1 draw with Tanzania on Sunday.

“I want to remind you Coach Marshal Mulwa lost seven matches but won three CECAFA tournaments; with patience we can do something. In 2004 Ghana lost to Rwanda, went back to the drawing board and today their story is clear, one of the Africa’s best.

“We have lost two matches, we have drawn one. We have added the number of the upcoming stars in the national team looking into the future. Most of them could play tomorrow (Tuesday) against Sudan, Kenyans should come and see.

“I have said always these are the youth who will take us somewhere, because you can’t change everything overnight,” the football boss who was once again forced to come out in staunch defence of his stunning choice to lead the national side said.

“Winning is good and everyone including myself wants to see our team winning. However, if the win does not come as fast as expected, then we cannot say we have gone wrong in everything,” he maintained.

The stalemate against Tanzania follows two defeats by minnows Guinea Bissau in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers that knocked Kenya out of the running for the Gabon finals.

Mwendwa then piled pressure on Okumbi by declaring the June 5 dead rubber against Congo Brazzaville is a must win clash.

“It’s going to be a very important match, even yesterday’s (Sunday’s) was. It will affect our FIFA ranking, the next World Cup and AFCON qualifiers pooling and the amount of grants we receive because they also depend on ranking.  It will therefore, entail much and we want to win, that’s why we are thoroughly preparing,” he added.

Speaking at Citizen TV’s Monday Football show, the FKF chief was categorical the option of bringing a foreign head coach was still open.

“It all depends on the technical bench but the window is there,” he added revealing they would soon name an overseas Football Director to mastermind youth development.

Only FC Djugarden’s Michael Olunga will be an addition to Stars squad to face Congo, from the team that played Taifa Stars and the one expected to play Sudan on Tuesday.

Okumbi expressed his satisfaction with Sunday’s draw after his captain; Victor Wanyama forced a share of the spoils from the spot.

“To me the match was okay although I expected a win. Of course when players are under pressure to win they make mistakes in front of goal. Sudan will be a different test all together and we look forward to post good result,” he said after the game.

Meanwhile, Mwendwa has emphasized that the 2018 CHAN will be staged in Kenya.

“We have sealed everything with CAF. We are now in preparation, the question should be asking is whether we are ready to complete four stadiums, and invest in the game.

“We are working with the central and county governments to see to it everything is up and running. Burkina Faso hosted this with only two standard stadia; we have Kasarani ready and Nyayo 70 percent ready. We are not settling for the two only, but hopefully by the end of 2017 we should see the fruits of our labour.”

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Tanzania Nick Mwendwa Harambee Stars Stanley Okumbi football Sudan 2017 AFCON CHAN 2018

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