Hey's Stars to host Malawi Flames

Harambee Stars head coach Antoine Hey has had his wish for the national team to play an international build-up match fulfilled. Plans are complete to host Malawi’s side The Flames on May 27th at the Coca-Cola National Stadium.

Team manager Edward Oduor said yesterday their opponents had confirmed they would honour the fixture, which comes a week before the Stars jet out to Lagos to play against hosts Nigeria in the second round of the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The confirmation will leave Hey a relieved man, having had his bid to have the team train in his native Germany foiled by the Kenyan Premier League clubs.

Kenya has met Malawi on several occasions, and the coach now has another chance to review the squad in a match situation. And having watched as the Stars handed group leaders Tunisia victory, Hey will have to bolster confidence in his squad, especially in defence.

Football Kenya Limited senior vice-chairman Titus Kasuve however said Malawi have showed interest to come to Kenya but are yet to finalise the logistics. “We do not want to jump the gun. We will be addressing the issue soon and until then, let us give the players a chance to focus on training,” he said.

Coach is free

Kasuve pointed out that the coach was free to select the squad and that the federation only had a supervisory role. Odour said Malawi are expected in the country next weekend in order for them to acclimatise before the match.

“We do not have the information about who will be in their team at the moment. But I can confirm that we have made plans to host them on May 27th at the Coca-Cola stadium,” said Oduor.

Besides the Malawi match, Hey has also lined up another local build-up match against a top local Kenyan Premier League side at the Ruaraka grounds.

The Stars, who have been training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, are rooted at the bottom of the Group B World Cup and Africa Nations Cup qualifier after the first round matches.