Mwendwa keeping faith with Stars coach Okumbi

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has assured his belief for Harambee Stars first coach Stanley Okumbi remains steadfast, backing him to stay on for at least five more years.

The ambitious Mwendwa said his vision is to see Kenya participate in its first ever FIFA World Cup competition in 2022, tasking Okumbi and his technical bench to see it through.

His declaration perhaps ends the debate as to whether plans to appoint a big name as Head Coach were underway, with Okumbi having remained ‘first team coach’ in a three-man technical bench since his appointment in February last year.

Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno and Frank Ouna are second and third coaches.

“When we came on we believed in a young coach who many people doubted his ability. One year down the line he has proved critics wrong; losing only the two matches he led the team shortly after he took over.

“The record speaks for itself, eight matches unbeaten including big wins away. Our vision is to develop him as the team develops for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which so far so good,” Mwendwa told Citizen Digital.

According to the federation boss, maintaining a consistent technical bench is key to the success of any team and changes should only be necessitated by pressing factors.

“I don’t mean we cannot have another coach whatsoever, because coaching and team management has issues. However, we are committed to our vision looking at the bigger picture.

“We have put in place good plans for the team, both short and long-term and he (Okumbi) is at the centre of it. We can only be fare to let him work without unnecessary disruptions, especially considering his record so far,” Mwendwa said.

Okumbi took over from Scott Bobby Williamson, and failed to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, the campaign was dented when he took charge, Kenya hiving lost against Zambia (2-1) at home and drawn away to Congo Brazzaville (1-1).

Okumbi led Stars to home and away defeats to Guinea Bissau who later qualified for the biennial continental showpiece, before managing a 2-1 win at home against Congo. His last match in the group was against Zambia in Lusaka, earning a 1-1 draw.

Although he has not lost in eight matches consecutively, pundits say his real test will come when ‘Stars features in competitive matches, with 2018 CHAN to be hosted in Kenya and 2019 AFCON qualifiers beckoning.

Already, Okumbi is on record that the draw for the Cameroon 2019 AFCON is fair enough for his charges to sail through, with neighbors Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and four-time Africa champions Ghana pooled together with them in group F.

“We have done a lot of work and some results have been seen although there is more to expect. Success is a combination of a team contributing towards a common course, and the same case applies to our national team.

“I’m doing my part and I don’t train a team to lose, I always aim at winning. From the federation to the fans and every stakeholder we have a role to play, but we must be confident of what we can do,” the soft spoken coach said.