Migne calls for strong mentality as Stars gear for Ghana clash

Sebastian Migne has acknowledged Ghana’s Black Stars is way far better than his Harambee Stars, but insisted the four-time African Cup of Nations (Afcon) champions are beatable.

Migne, Stars head coach, just knows the magnitude of the task at hand as he leads his charges against Ghana on Saturday at 4:00pm EAT (+3GMT) in a 2019 Afcon qualifier at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Reading from Ghana’s first match of Group F where the West African side humbled Ethiopia 5-0, Migne concedes it will take a strong mentality to gather points in the mouthwatering clash.

“My intention is to win first, we must work together as a unit and try to execute what we have been working on in camp and hopefully we can come out with a win,” said the French tactician, during an open media session at their Kenya School of Monetary Studies base.

According to Migne, Stars should have gathered momentum in the qualifiers by picking at least a point in the first match which they lost to hosts Sierra Leone 2-1 away in Free Town, then under the tutelage of former coach Stanley Okumbi.

“We know Ghana is better than Kenya but on paper from all dimensions, but we can make a difference in one match. We must avoid losing our second match although it would have been easier had we started on winning note or at least a draw,” added Migne.

Notably, Stars will miss the services of injured Captain Victor Wanyama, plying his trade with English side Tottenham Hotspurs.

Confirming the development, Migne admitted the absence of widely traveled and experienced skipper is a big blow, adding Gor Mahia’s custodian Boniface Oluoch will also miss with an injury.

“We know that Victor has been injured and it will not be possible to have him. Today is Wednesday, two days to the match and if we were to have him, he would be here. However, we also have to consider his future with his club and the injury he has so it is good to let him recover,” Migne said.

His elder brother McDonald Mariga will also miss, as he concentrates on his move from Real Oviedo of Spanish Second Divison.

Thus, Vice captain David ‘Calabar’ Owino, is likely to take the captain role but will have to undergo a late fitness test after picking a slight injury in Wednesday’s morning training.

Despite the setbacks, Owino has asked his teammates to approach the tie with a positive mindset.

The Zesco United (Zambia) defender underscored the big tag Ghana carries into the game from the past continental and global exploits should motivate the players to give their best.

“We are playing one of the best teams in Africa and our attitude towards the game must be positive for us to pull a win. We are playing at home thus we have an opportunity to revive our chances of qualifying for Afcon,” noted the experienced centre-back.

Besides the injury woes, Migne will have to without South African based Brian Mandela (centre back) and attacker Ayub Timbe (China) who are suspended following red cards.

The rest of the foreign based players jetted in on Tuesday, including Kashiwa Reysol’s Michael Olunga and Johanna Omolo, bringing the total of the players in camp to 33.

Ghana on the other hand set camp in Ethiopia ahead of the clash, ahead of their Thursday arrival in Nairobi.

Additional reporting by Jacob Icia.