Kenya needs sharp strikers, says Koops

Former AFC Leopards coach Jan Koops believes that Harambee Stars can win this year’s Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge title.

In his assessment, Koops said that the home side has a solid defence, dynamic midfield and just needs to improve on its finishing to become championship material.

“Harambee Stars are physically stronger than their opponents, their ball possession is very good.”

Assessing Stars midfield that boasts of Francis Kahata, Peter 'Pinchez' Opiyo and Anthony 'Teddy' Akumu, Koops said that a 4-4-2 formation would best suits Stars.

The former Ingwe, Kolongolo and Nairobi City Stars tactician also backed AFC Leopards forward Allan Wanga to shine in the tournament “if he can get good supply of the ball”.

“Allan (Wanga) is capable of making goals; he just needs a lot of support from his midfielders.”

STALEMATE

The Adel Amrouche-coached side began their title campaign on a sluggish note on Wednesday after being held to a barren draw by Ethiopia’s Walya  Antelopes at the Nyayo national stadium.

Stars, who have not won the title in 11 years are pooled in Group A alongside South Sudan’s Bright Stars and Zanzibar Heroes. They will have to win the remaining two group matches to be guaranteed passage to the quarter-finals.

Kenya were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage when they played as hosts in 2009.

Meanwhile, Koops has maintained that he is not bitter after losing out on the Tusker job to former Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi despite the “open betrayal” by Tusker’s management.

“I am not disappointed by the decision to hand Kimanzi (Francis) the job.

“I had a 100 per cent agreement with the chairman (James Musyoki) that I join the team which he has since denied but I am fine with it.

“We agreed that I sign the contract either on November 27th or 28th only to later learn that the job had been handed to Kimanzi.”