‘Ghost’ is ready for Ethiopians

• Kenyans in Dar have been apathetic fans but Mulee is optimistic of victory as he plans ahead for today’s match, hinting at changes to Stars defence and midfield

Dar es Salaam

Kenya’s Harambee Stars return to action on Thursday in the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup in desperate need of a win against Ethiopia to stay alive in the competition.
Coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee could already have been feeling the heat, and not just from the soaring Dar es Salaam temperatures, when he made his battle statement on Wednesday.

“The situation against Ethiopia, for us, is a do-or-die. We know it is a match that will determine whether we continue staying in Dar es Salaam or not,” Mulee said after an early morning training session.

He added: “We need to make it to the quarter-finals so that we continue with our aim of at least making the last four.”

The match will be played from 4pm at the 60,000-capacity National Stadium that will have its gates open for free entry.

Mulee will not expect any support from Kenyans in Dar, who have failed to make a presence on the stands.

The 2002 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup-winning coach said he will reshuffle his defence and midfield.

Kenya beat Ethiopa 3-0 in Addis Ababa in August, in their last meeting.

In the first match of the day Uganda Cranes will be looking to guarantee their quarter-final slot by beating guest side Malawi.

Thursday’s fixtures: Group “C” – Malawi v Uganda (2 pm), Ethiopia v Kenya (4 pm)