Belligerent Stars keep focus

Lesotho better reconsider their plans if they think they will have it easy in Nairobi for their return 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.

Adel Amrouche, clearly spoiling for a fight, Friday admitted Stars performed badly in their 1-0 loss in Maseru a fortnight ago but added things will be different tomorrow at Nyayo Stadium where the do-or-die match will be held.

“In the first leg we had good possession for almost the entire game, but we gave them a chance to score and we cannot afford to do that this time round. This is a must-win match and I have instructed my players to be very, very aggressive throughout the match,” he said.

Amrouche said that while his one-year Caf suspension will make the clash against Lesotho an unusually high pressure match, all that will matter is winning.

The Belgian coach, who was accused of spitting at a match official during Stars away match to Comoros, expressed confidence that he had the players who would reverse the 0-1 deficit Stars carry for the return leg.

The match will kick-off at 4pm.

“The morale in the camp is very high. The players are confident even though I will not be in sight. All that matters is that we qualify to the next round. The players are ready to deliver,” he said.

DELIVER A WIN

The players, it seems, are straining on their leashes to have a go at Lesotho’s Crocodiles.

“We are well prepared and training very hard. We have adjusted well to the news that the coach will not be with us at the touchline so there is no pressure at all. We are just waiting for the game so we can deliver a win for the country,” said former AFC Leopards midfielder Peter “Pinchez” Opiyo.

Lesotho’s Crocodiles, including first leg goal scorer Bushy Moletsane, goalkeeper Kananelo Makhooane and prolific striker Mohau Kuenane arrived very early yesterday morning, and held their first training session at the Ruaraka Stadium in the evening.

First choice Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi together with Duncan Ochieng will miss the return leg due to club commitments and injury respectively, but goalkeeper trainer Iddi Salim remained confident that the Stars were in good hands with the fast-rising Bandari custodian Wilson Oburu, Gor Mahia’s Jerim Onyango and AFC Leopards’ Wycliff Kasaya all capable replacements.

“It is unfortunate that the two have not been with us for a while, but I am happy that the local shot stoppers are coming up very strongly, and there is no need for panic in my department,” he said.

If Kenya wins Sunday’s match, they will advance to Group C that already contains Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow morning at designated venues.

A total of 28, 000 tickets have been printed, 3,000 of them VIP that will be sold for Sh1,000 while the terrace tickets will retail for Sh200.

Wells Fargo Security Group will be in charge of the ticket sales. The referees are from Cameroon while the match commissioner is from Rwanda.
Fans have been assured of security while at the venue.