AFCON quest: Harambee Stars need more than luck, says Situma

Former Harambee Stars defender James Situma believes Kenya need more than luck to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations Finals to be held in Cameroon.

Situma, now a football coach and chair of the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) says the Egypt match will be no walk in the park, if the poor record of the Kenyan teams against North Africans sides is factored.

“Of course it is a tough game and especially when we are playing against North African teams, it has never been easy.

Also it will depend on how well the teams have prepared with every team playing to win and wait for mathematics to be done,” Situma said.

Situma who has played for Tusker, Mathare and Sofapaka has however called upon first timers to prove head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee right by taking their chances.

‘Ghost’, in his provisional squad made the brave call to drop big names among them skipper Victor Wanyama, winger Ayub Timbe, goalies Patrick Matasi and Arnold Origi.

“I want to believe that every player who has made it to the camp is up to the task, ready to show reason why he has been singled out to don Kenyan colours in such an enormous assignment.

Our coach has his reasons why he has decided not to call some players to the squad and maybe it could be because of the way he want to approach these two remaining matches,” Situma concluded.

Kenya play Egypt on Thursday at Kasarani and then face Togo in Lome on Monday with both ties being a must win for them.

The Mulee coached side sit third with four points behind leaders Egypt and Comoros who have eight points each with Togo rooted at the bottom with only one point.

The Egyptian Pharaohs are meanwhile expected in Nairobi tonight ahead of the clash.

The Stars on Monday undertook Covid-19 tests, ahead of the duel.

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afcon Harambee Stars Egypt Cameroon James Situma

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