Bring on Bafana Bafana, says a Michel buoyed by show in camp

PHOTO | MOHAMMED AMIN A tense moment for Harambee Stars fans during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda Cranes at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Kampala, on October 9 2011. Kenya play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a friendly in Nairobi on October 16, 2012.

What you need to know:

  • Addressing a press conference at a Nairobi’s Hotel Boulevard on Saturday, the Frenchman, who was appointed Kenya coach in August, said he wanted a good start in his new job and noted that beating Bafana Bafana would be a yardstick for the team’s fortunes
  • Bafana were expected to arrive in Nairobi Saturday night straight from Warsaw, where they lost 1-0 to hosts Poland in a friendly on Friday
  • Tickets for the match go on sale today at Bob Morgan Security outlets at Sh1,000 for the VIP section and Sh300 for the terraces

Harambee Stars head coach Henri Michel has termed Tuesday’s international friendly match with South Africa as a crucial fixture for him and Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Addressing a press conference at a Nairobi’s Hotel Boulevard on Saturday, the Frenchman, who was appointed Kenya coach in August, said he wanted a good start in his new job and noted that beating Bafana Bafana would be a yardstick for the team’s fortunes.

“I wanted to have a full squad in camp before facing the media, and now that everyone is around I can say that we are very focused for the forthcoming international friendly,” said Michel. “Every match is normally very important for any team and this specific one against Bafana Bafana will be vital for me and the federation, going by the team’s rankings by Fifa (128).”

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Stun the visitors

Tipping his players to stun the 1996 continental champions, Michel declared: “I want a good start.

“The local players have been responding very well to training for the period I have been with them in camp and I am very impressed with them.”

Lost to Poland

Bafana were expected to arrive in Nairobi Saturday night straight from Warsaw, where they lost 1-0 to hosts Poland in a friendly on Friday.

The South Africans will hold their first training session at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.

Meanwhile, tickets for the match go on sale today at Bob Morgan Security outlets at Sh1,000 for the VIP section and Sh300 for the terraces.

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