Football Kenya suspends Obingo

Football Kenya Limited on Monday suspended its secretary-general, Sammy Obingo, over allegations of misappropriation of funds.

FKL chairman Mohamed Hatimy told Daily Nation on Monday that the national football governing body also launched investigations into the two recent international friendlies involving Harambee Stars, where the vice is suspected to have been committed.

And as the national team prepares to change its training base from Kasarani to City Stadium this morning, their August 29 international friendly against Botswana in Gaborone hangs in the balance.

Although reports of the match remain scanty, the national team’s head coach, Antoine Hey, who wasn’t aware of the fixture, questioned the timing of the match. It comes just a week to the team’s 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique in Maputo.

“I’m not aware of the match. All the same, the timing of the game is too close to our qualifier against Mozambique and I don’t think it would be wise to play in Gaborone,” said Hey.

Players’ concentration

The German tactician insisted that the players’ concentration would be affected if they honour the match.

Obingo had earlier on Monday said there were talks to have the match on the stated date although he was not aware who brokered the tie.

“I have been away in Malaysia and just came back yesterday (Sunday). However, while in Malaysia, I read some e-mails on the same match and, in the next two or three days, complete reports will be unveiled,” said Obingo.

Should that match materialise, it will give the professionals time to gel before they head down south. But, owing to the fact that Stars would play a “home-based” side, it certainly is not the sternest test Hey’s men could have hoped for although it could help them to build confidence.

“We need as many international friendly matches as possible, more so with the professionals, before our qualifier match. We are currently talking to Football Kenya officials for that possibility sometimes next week,” the team’s assistant coach, Twahir Muhidin, had said early last week.

Since they will play on an artificial turf in Maputo, the 26-man squad will be conducting their morning sessions at the refurbished City.

“We intend to make good use of the stadium as our match is expected to be held on a similar one. We expect to be joined by ten professionals by Wednesday next week and, with that, have our final team,” said Muhidin.

Many will be hoping that the team will not have to be starved of adequate preparations due to a cash crunch as was the case before Abuja.