Bullish Stars out to exorcise Congos Red Devils

Harambee Stars first team coach Stanley Okumbi is upbeat his charges will hand him his first win on Sunday, when they host Congo Brazzaville in a dead rubber 2017 Afcon qualifier in Nairobi.

Speaking at the Utalii Training Grounds on Friday after mid morning training, the former Mathare United coach stressed an improved striking force will end their winless streak to relieve some of the pressure facing him.

“I explained after Sudan’s match scoring has been a problem, but my strikers have improved. In training they are scoring and I expect them to do the same when I field them on Sunday.

“I have confidence with my strikers, despite not being able to score as many goals but at the end of the day, I believe they will deliver. Of course it is not easy to get who will play on Sunday, it’s a competition and we may establish which striker will start may be by the end of tomorrow (Saturday),” the soft spoken tactician told reporters.

Sweden based Michael Olunga and Zesco United’s Jesse Were are in race for a starting berth for the team that has scored only twice since Okumbi took over in February with the jury out on him should the team fail to secure the victory.

Already, his boss and Football Kenya Federation President, Nick Mwendwa, has termed the Congo game a ‘must win’ the dire situation was compounded on Thursday when Kenya slumped to position 129 in the Fifa Coca-Cola Rankings, their second worst placing in the monthly ratings in international football.

Contrary to the wave of dissatisfaction that greeted their performance, the ex-Kariobangi Sharks head coach maintained the friendlies against Tanzania and Sudan were of great help in the build up to the qualifier despite both ending in 1-1 draws.

“Against Tanzania we played well, created many chances but we could not convert them. I have urged my players to utilize the chances they get. Against Sudan we fielded our youthful side against their first team and for me they have improved and will do their best come Sunday.

“The results of the first leg do not matter in this match. We focus on the Sunday match afresh. Every coach prepares a team to win. Fans, players and even I want to win. Congo are also coming with same mentality. The difference will be found in the team’s tactics,” the first coach charged.

In the first leg, Kenya forced the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw with the unattached Paul Were scoring for Stars for the only point the team has gained in Group E. Two damaging 1-0 defeats to Guinea Bissau ended their hopes of making the Gabon final after leaving Stars rock bottom and eliminated.

Congo are second in the pool on six points, one ahead of Bissau and victory over their hosts will boost their chances of making the biennial continental showpiece finals. They are ranked 11th in Africa and 60th globally with the Red Devils gunning to play at the Afcon for a second straight tournament.

– Confident Olunga-

Olunga who joined the team on Thursday from Sweden; is oozing confidence that beating Congo is within their grip.

“We know we have not been scoring a lot goals, but we have been practicing that and most of our sessions have been on finishing. We are hopeful on Sunday we are going to perform  because in the camp we have the best strikers in the country so whoever will be given a chance to start, I’m sure will give his best to bag three points.

“Every game comes with its own different style of play. Congo are a good side and ranked well above us but we don’t fear them. We are just going out there and being at home it’s a chance to redeem ourselves and show our supporters what we are doing this for the country. We are going to work as a team on Sunday and give our best,” last season’s domestic Player of the Year charged.

David Owino ‘Calabar’ of Zambia’s Zesco is equally bullish.

“Preparations have been good. Players were given a chance to prove themselves to coaches who have seen what everyone can offer. No player wants to sit on the bench, and I believe those selected will give their best because we are still many in the team.”

Besides the headache to pick the starting striker that Okumbi conceded he will have to make a tough decision on who starts on the left back between in form Gor Mahia’s revelation Eric ‘Marcello’ Ouma and Bulgaria based Aboud Omar, having heaped praise on both after Tanzania and Sudan ties.