Jan Koops tips Harambee Stars to bag Cecafa title

What you need to know:

  • Harambee Stars have to win the remaining two group matches to be guaranteed passage to the quarters
  • Meanwhile Koops has maintained that he is not bitter after losing out on the Tusker job

Former AFC Leopards coach Jan Koops believes that Harambee Stars can go all the way to the final and bag this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

In his assessment, Koops, said that the home side has a solid defence, dynamic midfield and just needs to improve on its finishing to ease their way past the group stages.

“It’s possible that Harambee Stars can win the championship. They are physically stronger than their opponents, their ball possession is very good and all they need is to improve on is finishing,” said the Dutchman.

Basing his argument on a strong congested midfield that boasts of the likes of playmaker Francis Kahata, Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo, 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 centre 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 midfielders,” said the 72 year old tactician.

Adel Amrouche's charges began their title campaign on a sluggish note on Wednesday after being held to a frustrating barren draw by Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes at the Nyayo National Stadium. (READ: Calm Ethiopia hold Stars)

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

KOOPS NOT BITTER

Meanwhile Koops has maintained that he is not bitter after losing out on the Tusker job to former Harambee Stars coach Francis Kiamnzi despite claiming to have been betrayed by Tusker’s management.

“I am not disappointed by the decision to hand Kimanzi the job. I had a 100 percent 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.”

He went on, “There is no problem, I can consider assisting him (Kimanzi) but that largely depends on him.”