Mignes verdict: How each star fared in Ethiopia demolition

The national football team head coach Sebastien Migne offered a glowing assessment of his charges following Sunday’s victory over Ethiopia that brought Kenya’s ticket to the 2019 AFCON Finals within touching distance.

After a sterile performance in the first leg in Bahir Dar in which Harambee Stars showed no adventure, Migne boldly switched to and executed an attacking performance to win 3-0 and go top of Group F of the AFCON Qualifiers.

Frenchman Migne said after the match it was difficult to point out what he thought needed improvement and in an interview with SemaNaCitizen on Friday, gave his player-by-player verdict.

Patrick Matasi (GK)

“After some clean sheets it was interesting of course and there was no question about letting him in the first 11.”

Philemon Otieno (RB)

“He returned after the injury, he can offer us more solutions offensively for the future but defensively he is very strong so we have to work with him. His spirit is also fantastic; he is a good player who can help us build from the back. It is important for me.”

Musa Mohammed (CB)

“One of my vice captains, so important he is in terms of spirit. Not so tall but his heart is tall, an intelligent player, a leader on the field but not off the oustside…”

Brian Mandela (CB)

“I discovered him through highlights at Maritzburg, but it was important for me to know him better on the field. He coordinated well with Musa, interestingly showing he was ready to fight for Harambee Stars. He is an interesting player; with the short height of Musa he can balance the central defense…”

Aboud Omar (LB)

“I’m happy for him, he has participated in the last matches clean sheets. He is god on the side and offers some quality offensively. Unfortunately he will be suspended for the next game. It will be a problem for me but we will find a solution.”

Victor Wanyama/Dennis Odhiambo (CDM)

“Wanyama my captain, and Dennis because you cannot put one without the other one, there is a good balance between them. One had to play defensively and the other one offensively especially towards the end of the game but generally the approach was to attack. There was a very good balance in those positions.”

Francis Khata (CM)

“The idea was to play behind Olunga (Michael) and support him. We let Olunga alone in the first leg in Ethiopia and it was necessary to correct that, putting more players in the box. He can play in different positions and that’s an advantage…,”

Michael Olunga (ST)

“I’m happy and lucky to have Olunga in my team, it’s fantastic for us, he’s a good striker and he’s becoming a leader which is interesting for the future. Of course we need to develop other options in the future, may be to play with two strikers…”

Eric Johanna (RF/RW)

“I deployed him on the right wing where Ovella Ochieng had played in the other game (away to Ethiopia) because I wanted more push on the side. Ovella is a very talented player and has the hunger to play but I told him I wanted to be shown more on the field. Eric could easily run in the spaces in front of goal from the wing, and it worked in terms of attacking more…”

Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma (LW)

“For me he is Marcelo. He came on in the first match away to Ethiopia in the second half, and then started shyly in the return match before fitting in so well. He was good making runs and crossing into the box. He has a strong spirit and determined to give his best. He can be even better…”