Stars in crisis as clubs shred Hey’s letters

Harambee Stars’ World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations preparations appears to be headed for disarray following the decision by three clubs to withdraw their commitment letters to the national football team on Tuesday.

Thika United, KCB and Ulinzi Stars, who have between them four players - David Okello, Pascal Ochieng, Crispin Olando and Mulinge Munandi - at the Harambee Stars training camp, informed FKL secretary Sammy Obingo of their decision to withdraw the controversial document in solidarity with other Kenyan Premier League clubs.

Harambee Stars coach, Antoine Hey, on Monday dropped seven players from the team for failure by them and their respective clubs to sign a letter committing them to the national team.

The effected players were Edgar Ochieng of Mathare United, Joseph Shokokoti, John Njoroge and Fred Ajwang from Tusker and Sofapaka’s Wilson Oburu, Evans Wandera and James Situma.

Hey vowed that he would not allow any player who did not sign the letter to train with his team.

It will be interesting to see if the German coach drops the four players who have had their clubs withdraw the commitment letters. Such a move would reduce the number of players in camp to 13.

Hey was forced to hurriedly call up untested AFC Leopards goalkeeper Teddy Okumba to replace the axed Oburu of Sofapaka.

The victimisation of the players, many of whom have been key players for Harambee Stars at one point or the other, and their absence from the camp is bound to affect the morale of the rest of the team, dealing a body blow to Kenya’s World Cup ambitions.

Harambee Stars meet tough Nigeria in Abuja on June 6 before hosting vastly improved Mozambique two weeks later in Nairobi.

Thika United chairman, Gerald Chege, accused Hey of dishonesty.

“When we meet the Harambee Stars management we were told that it was only Thika who had not signed the commitment letter and fearing to be labeled as people who want to sabotage the team we signed the letters. But were misinformed and have decided to withdraw the letters,” Chege said.

Work in harmony

The Thika United chairman said his players would still be available to Hey for four days of training every week and the entire month June.
Other reactions continue to follow Hey’s decision to drop players from Harambee Stars.
Sports Minister, Hellen Sambili, urged the coach to work in harmony with the clubs. “There are many challenges in the national team. We urge for consultation and togetherness between the technical bench and the clubs. The players should be supported,” Sambili said.
Kenya Football Federation chairman, Sam Nyamweya, meanwhile, said Hey’s action was dictatorial and out of place.
“I stand in support of the clubs and players. Clubs have agreed to offer their players to the national team without condition provided the national team management releases the players in time for league matches but FKL and Hey are behaving like they own the players,” Nyamweya said in a statement.
“We are messing up our chances of qualifying for the World Cup and African Cup of Nations,” Nyamweya added.