Kenya face Comoros in tricky tie
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Harambee Stars Johanna Omollo (right) tussles for the ball with Comoros' Mohamad Yousouf during their Africa Cup of Nations Group first round first leg qualifiers tie played at Nyayo Stadium on May 18, 2014.
What you need to know:
- Amrouche’s men look to protect slim advantage from the first leg
- Although, Stars hold a slim advantage going into the tie, Comoros are hopeful of tossing their much fancied opponents out of the race for the continental showpiece.
- With Kenya’s slim 1-0 cushion, there is everything to fight for in the match, something coach Adel Amrouche is fully aware of.
Comoros will be hoping to turn the tables on Kenya Friday afternoon when they host Harambee Stars in the return leg of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Mitsamihuli Stadium.
Although, Stars hold a slim advantage going into the tie, Comoros are hopeful of tossing their much fancied opponents out of the race for the continental showpiece.
Expectations are high in Moroni with President Ikililou Dhoine rallying the country’s estimated 800,000 population to come out in numbers and cheer the team to victory.
“We are all with you, behind you and wish you the best of luck. While in Nairobi, I called over 10 times to give you my support and that of the people. Now it will be different because you are at home,” President Dhoinehe was quoted by Comoros leading daily Al-Watwan when he hosted the team to a luncheon.
“We hope to live up to the expectations. We are affected by these moments,” said team captain Nadjim Abdou.
With Kenya’s slim 1-0 cushion, there is everything to fight for in the match, something coach Adel Amrouche is fully aware of.
EASE PRESSURE
A draw will be sufficient to secure Stars’ passage to the next round although an early goal would ease the pressure on Amrouche’s men. On the other hand, an early goal for the hosts would turn the game on its head.
Speaking to Daily Nation Sports prior to the team’s departure, Amrouche was upbeat but cautious on what to expect in the game.
“I have the best possible squad. We have had ample training and whoever I pick to start should be able to do the job,” Amrouche said. Even with the expulsion of lead striker Dennis Oliech, the team is buoyed by the return of first choice custodian Arnold Origi who missed the match in Nairobi.
Amrouche could elect to employ a 4-4-2 system while his Comoros counterpart Amir Abdou is expected to retain the bulk of the players who did duty in Nairobi.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Harambee Stars: Arnold Origi (GK), David Owino, Aboud Omar, David Ochieng, Lawrence Olum, Johanna Omollo, Victor Wanyama, Macdonald Mariga, Francis Kahata, Ayub Timbe, and Allan Wanga.
Comoros: Mvoivili Mahmoud (GK), Fouad Mdroudjane, Chaker Alhadhar, Ibrahim Rachedi, Youssouf Mchangawe, Fouad Bachiron, Ben El Fardou ,Ali M’madi,N. Nchangaman,Mohamed Soule, Nadjim Abdou.
OTHER QUALIFIERS
Friday: In Moroni, Comoros v Kenya (0-1); in Khartoum, South Sudan v Mozambique (0-5).
Saturday: In Kampala, Uganda v Madagascar (1-2); in Kigali, Rwanda v Libya (0-0); in Freetown, Sierra Leone v Swaziland (1-1).
Sunday: In Maseru, Lesotho v Liberia (0-1); in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea v Mauritania (0-1); in Pointe-Noire, Congo v Namibia (0-1); in Lobatse, Botswana v Burundi (0-0); in Porto Novo, Benin v Sao Tome e Principe (2-0); in N’Djamena, Chad v Malawi (0-2); in Harare, Zimbabwe v Tanzania (0-1).
