Yes, we can clip Eagles’ wings - coach Hey

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.

Gor teenager wins over fans with his brace

Gor Mahia’s schoolboy George Odhiambo (left) shields the ball away from a Thika United played at a past Premier League match at the Coca-Cola stadium on Saturday. Duncan Owiti, another teenage sensation at Gor Mahia, dazzled fans with his brace against current champions Mathare United . Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN


Courtesy of the Daily Nation

Of the seven Kenyan Premier League matches played over the weekend, Gor Mahia’s 3-1 win over champions Mathare United was the talk of the town, as four other matches ended in draws.

Going into this game, many feared that Gor might wobble against a hungry, in-form United, but those fears looked to be unfounded as soon as the match played at the Coca-Cola National Stadium kicked off, because Gor’s youngsters were more than a match for an experienced United team.

The 18-year-old Duncan Owiti, making his first appearance with the big side, cannoned a shot from 25 metres 15th minute for his side’s opener, before flicking in his second, moments after resumption for the second half.

“That was a day of my dreams,” said the former Thur Gem Secondary School student, who assumed the striker’s role from regular Habil Otieno.

“It was a dream to have a debut and score goals like that,” he added. “I need to keep going like that and enjoy.”

Owiti dressed because both Otieno and John Ringo sat on the bench.

That didn’t stop stand-in coach Gideon Ochieng’ from putting the youngster in.

“It was a gamble,” he said. “Winning is the name of the game at this club. Yes, we take risks, but that is part of football.”

Peter Opiyo was given the responsibility of taking charge of the former champions’ midfield alongside Tony Onyango and the Harambee Stars man battled hard and took the eye with his surging runs and tackling.

The average age of Gor’s team was just 25 and the youngest player on the pitch, Kamukunji schoolboy, George Odhiambo (17 years), was arguably the most composed of the lot.

Although he’s only played three times for Gor’s first-team, the 17-year-old striker once again looked like the real deal.

Playing at the Coca-Cola National Stadium is a test for any forward, not least because of the hostile crowds behind Gor’s delivery, and then there’s the energy sapping turf and the sense of occasion.

The stadium didn’t faze Owiti in any sense. His link-up play with Odhiambo was hugely impressive.

Unlike Ringo and Zaboln Otieno, who are all essentially second strikers, the young lad is a genuine number nine in the making, he leads the line superbly and his close control is excellent.

Against what was an excellent United defence, Owiti was happy to receive the ball in any situation, such a pity that Gor couldn’t make that vital breakthrough in the first minutes of the match.

United were then awarded a penalty minutes later but Anthony Khadudu, who had been taking penalties in recent matches for Mathare United, did not have the coolness he required as he shot into George Odhiambo’s hands

Courtesy of the KPL: Tusker top KPL

Tusker beat AFC Leopards 3-2 at the Coca Cola Stadium on Friday to jump to the top of the Kenyan Premier League table. It was the first time in the season that Tusker, the 2007 champions, held the leadership and pundits who pick them as one of the title favourites would appear right. Tusker led 1-0 at half time in the thrilling match. Nathan Mutenza struck in the 38th minute but Leopards were the quickest off the blocks in the second half, Sebastian Muchera equalising in the 46th minute. Leopards grabbed the lead in the 50th minute when skipper Francis Xavier converted a penalty. But Joseph Emeka (64th minute) and Jerry Santos (72') ensured victory for Tusker. Mathare United 1 Gor Mahia 3 Duncan Owiti, a schoolboy whose age does not even appear in Gor Mahia 2009 roster, assumed the striker's role from regular Habil Otieno and unleashed one of the biggest upsets of the season at Coca Cola Stadium on Saturday. Owiti sparkled with a brace of goals for Gor Mahia to stun champions Mathare United 3-1. The rookie player's first was a 15th minute long range effort that caught the Mathare defence completely flat-footed before the ball went past goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng'. Mathare were then awarded a penalty by referee Haji Omulitsya from Mumias. Yet again, a section of unruly Gor supporters caused an ugly scene, protesting against the award by hurling chairs and objects towards the pitch. Anthony Khadudu, who had been in good scoring form, including taking a penalty in recent matches for Mathare United, did not have the coolness he needed. He shot wide. When calm resumed Mathare hunted for the equaliser and Joseph Nyaga missed a great opportunity in the 35th minute. His team was to find itself farther behind when Gor captain and Harambee Stars defender Julius "Awilo" Owino scored to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute. Owino�s goal was another effort for a distance. Gor came into the second half running rings around Mathare United in the midfield to the much joy of their supporting faithful. They were to savour the unfamiliar 3-0 score line in their favour when young Owiti scored his second in the 48th minute. Owiti flicked on the ball with his head when he received it from his captain's (Owino) throw-in. United's consolation was Jaffar Gichuki's goal in the 52nd minute because after that Gor Mahia frantically defended their famous lead to the end. Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi said his team was caught cold in a number of occasions. Their captain, Anthony Kimani, said Gor Mahia were the better side on the day. "We put up a spirited fight ; it was just one of those bad days for us. Losing is part of the sport and we are capable of bouncing back in our next match." Gor skipper Owino said: "We prepared well for the match. We unveiled a new striker in place of our usual Habil Otieno. We are happy with Duncan Owiti's goals. Apparently, Mathare did not care much about him as they concentrated on dealing with our key players. "I'm delighted we have won the match because this will give us more motivation and drive in our forthcoming matches." 3 May SonySugar 1-0 Bandari KCB 2-2 Red Berets 2 May Mathare United 1-3 Gor Mahia Ulinzi Stars 2-1 Chemelil Sugar Agrochemicals 1-1 Western Stima Sher Karuturi 0-0 Sofapaka Thika United 1-1 Nairobi City Stars