Raise the bar at AFCON, ex-midfielder Mulama challenges Migne

Harambee Stars ex-midfielder Simeon Mulama has challenged the national football team head coach, Sebastien Migne, to raise the bar by guiding the team to the last eight at the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals which kicks off on June 21 in Egypt

Mulama who won Moi Golden Cup now renamed FKF Shield with Mathare United in 2000 has told Migne not to fear any team in the championship as all teams qualified on merit.

“It is prudent for a coach to let players have a mentality of making it to the quarters  since it is achievable.

“I think a knock out is way too low for a team like Kenya, which has many talented players, who are professionals, while some are local based but rich in talent,” he said.

His sentiments come barely days after the naming of a provisional 30-man squad by the Frenchman who will fly out on May 31 to France for preparations including two friendly matches against Madagascar and Gambia on June 7th and 15th respectively ahead of the championship

Stars are in Group F with Algeria, Senegal and Tanzania and will open their campaign on June 23 against one time champion, Algeria, popularly known as the Desert Foxes.

Kenya is returning to the continental tourney for the first time since 2004 when they were under head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee with lethal striker who marshaled the goal poaching department that year, Dennis Oliech, missing the trip due to an injury.

“We have a formidable team which has shown us that they can beat anyone in the continent after a surprise 1-0 victory against four-time champions Ghana in the qualifiers here in Nairobi,” Mulama added.

Mulama also credits maturity and good crop of coaches who are handling Stars players locally and abroad as a spring board for success.

Tottenham Hotspur mid fielder Victor Wanyama will be the man to lead the team with the likes of Michael Olunga, Abud Omar,Musa Mohamed, Brian Mandela, Eric Johana ,David ‘Calabar’ Owino  and Joshua Onyango, expected to play key roles in the campaign.

Stars have never progressed past the group stages in their five appearances at the championship and will be aiming to go one step better.