Harambee Stars to pitch camp in Europe ahead of Ghana test

Harambee Stars will pitch camp in Europe next year in June and play a number of friendly matches in a bid to prepare them adequately for their must win 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier match against Ghana set for September 7,2018 .

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said that the move is aimed at ensuring the Stars gets adequate preparations for the looming Ghana test.

“In March, we are going to have one or two friendly matches according to what we have laid down. After that we are going to have more friendlies in June, preferably in a camp set up in Europe for one or two weeks after our international players take a break in May,” Mwendwa said on Monday when the federation hosted the team to a luncheon in the wake of the team’s Cecafa conquest.

Kenya began their Afcon journey on a rocky path losing 2-1 to Sierra Leone in their first group ‘F’ match and lies third in the pool with zero points. Ghana is tied with Sierra Leone at three points but the former has a superior goal difference while Ethiopia, like Kenya, has no point.

At the same time, the team got cash token worth Sh 5.5 million from the federation, team sponsors and a shopping voucher worth Sh 370,000 from Tusky’s supermarket for their Cecafa heroics.

Meanwhile, the team will on Tuesday be hosted by Deputy President William Ruto to a breakfast meeting where they are expected to be rewarded with a further Sh 5 million.

At the same time, Posta Rangers goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has rallied the players and fans alike to support head coach Paul Put as the Belgian tactician looks set to revive Kenyan football after leading Kenya to a sixth Cecafa Senior Challenge title on Sunday, with victory over Zanzibar.

Matasi’s goalkeeping heroics saw him save three penalties; earning him man of the match and tournament’s Most Valuable Player awards.

“The coach joined us and we instantly won this cup. I urge all and sundry to support him as he has pushed and motivated us. I plead with Kenyans to be patient as this symbolizes the beginning of good tidings.” Matasi told Citizen Digital.