Kimanzi faces huge battle for ‘Kenya 1’ jersey as Origi lands
Coach Francis Kimanzi faces a goalkeeping dilemma with the arrival of Kenya number one Arnold Origi in the Harambee Stars camp.
The Ullensaker/Kisa (Norway) goalkeeper linked up with the team on Tuesday and has been included in the 23-man squad that travels on Thursday to Windhoek, Namibia, where they will face hosts Brave Warriors in their second 2016 World Cup Group F qualifier on Saturday.
Origi, a tried and trusted hand, is naturally expected to wear the No.1 jersey but the in-form Tusker keeper Boniface Oluoch may want to have a say in this.
Oluoch was superb in Kenya’s disappointing barren draw with Malawi on Saturday, repeatedly pulling off terrific stops to keep his team in the game, and, one would feel, the jersey.
The Brewers custodian received his maiden cap in 2010 but is prone to inconsistencies and Kimanzi, who heavily favours players he has worked with before, may opt for the safer bet, Origi.
Origi took time out on international duty late last year to concentrate on his club career but has seemingly had a change of heart after several figures in Kenyan football pleaded with him to return home.
Stars face a hectic fortnight. They play Namibia at Independence Stadium in three days in a match they must win to realistically remain in contention for a World Cup ticket.
Only one team from the group will advance to the final qualification phase and, with two fixtures looming against Group favourites Nigeria, Kenya must collect maximum points on Saturday or perish thoughts of Brazil 2016.
Harambee Stars then fly to West Africa on June 12 en route to Lome for their return 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against hosts Togo. The match is on June 16.
Kenya carry a 2-1 lead to Togo and must avoid defeat to make the final qualification, another straight home and away encounter.
The Nations Cup finals in South Africa will kick off an odd years cycle for the tournament, chiefly to avoid clashing with the World Cup which is held on an even year every four years.
Certainly out of the remaining World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers in June are Pascal Ochieng, who picked up a knee injury, and Dennis Odhiambo, who has a thigh muscle injury.
Stars camp mum
The Stars camp could not reveal the extent of the injuries or length of layoff. Team doctor Wycliff Makanga declined to talk to the Nation on phone.
The new-look Harambee Stars backline of James Situma, Joakins Atudo, Brian Mandela and debutant Clifford Miheso however put up a decent show against Malawi and, with more games together, can become a solid unit.
Namibia coach Benard Kaanjuka has meanwhile picked up confidence from Sunday’s narrow 1-0 away loss to Nigeria.
He told the Namibian: “Before the match the (Nigeria) press said that they (Super Eagles) were going to run over Namibia. They did not do that. It’s Namibia that ran over your team. From here on we are going to run over all the other countries.”
