Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Mugabe arrives at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Monday for the team’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers camp. The Stars face Nigeria next month. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO
Courtesy of the Daily Nation
Harambee Stars’ coach Antoine Hey is confident that the national football team will put behind their 2-1 loss to Tunisia in March as they aim for at least a point when they play away to Nigeria next month in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.
“Last month’s loss is all behind us as we open a new chapter. We need four points to stay in the competition. There has to be seriousness from our part and the players too, if we are going to achieve this,” said Hey.
Speaking to the Daily Nation on phone on Monday, the tactician said that the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalists, Nigeria, can be defeated.
“When a team is playing at home, they’re bound to make mistakes mostly because they’re under pressure.
“I’m optimistic that we can beat Nigeria, since they will be under similar conditions,” said Hey.
The former Liberia national coach cited a few personal mistakes in the Kenyan defence that cost the side maximum points, but said they (team) will correct them in time for the Nigeria tie.
“Every team plays to win, but again, there is the other that loses.
“There were several mistakes in that game and we are going to address them before our next match,” he said.
Maybe it was part of his correction and taming the recurrence of these mistakes that the coach when naming a provisional 23-man team, dropped Sher Karuturi’s custodian Noah Ayuko, who was between the posts during the Tunisia match.
Others dropped includes Petro Atletico’s Allan Wanga and Taiwo Atieno.
And with only 32 days left before the match, Hey said that he is not concerned about the limited training period he has with the team saying that he is focusing on creating a side that will work together.
“There’s a lot that has to be done. We will not go to Abuja just as tourists, that’s why we have to come up with a cohesive outfit,” said Hey, who was previously involved Gambia as their head coach.
“We have few days. I know we have an uphill task but we cannot run away from it. We’ll face it the way it is,” he added.
Regular place
Hey added that the team starts training on Tuesday and in the absence of established players, it provides an opportunity for some of the players in camp to push for a regular place in the starting eleven.
Already, 10 Harambee Stars players have reported to the team’s camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in readiness for next month’s away tie.
“You know we have players all over the world, some in the region and others in Europe, but for the players who are here, it’s a great exposure for them,” he said.
The coach also believes that the withdrawal of Mathare United players days to the Tunisian tie will not replay itself this time round to overshadow the team’s preparations.
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