Mulee: Poor preps will bring the best out of Stars

As Harambee Stars prepare to tackle Ethiopia in back to back qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) next week, renowned Kenyan coach Jacob Mulee believes that this could be Kenya’s year of success.

Mulee, who led Kenya to its last Afcon in 2004, says that a return to the continental scene is well within reach regardless of the financial difficulties within the federation that have affected the team’s preparations.

According to Mulee, the current squad is well capable of challenging fellow Group F members Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and even Ghana for the two slots for the 2019 Afcon.

“Looking at the group you can see that we are already on course, but it will depend on the results we get on Wednesday. That is the most crucial game. It's more crucial than the return leg and more crucial than the away match against Ghana,” the 50-year old told Nation Sport.

Stars are scheduled to play the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in Bahir Dar and Nairobi on October 10 and 14 respectively as they look to qualify for the continental showpiece for the first time in 14 years.

Kenya is second in group F with three points and require at least four points in the three remaining group games (following Sierra Leone's ban by Fifa) if they are to qualify for next year’s competition which will be held in Cameroon.

A biting financial crisis within Football Kenya Federation has affected the team’s preparations, as local-based players were unable to undertake residential training prior to their departure to Ethiopia.

Mulee however thinks that this will be rather inconsequential to the team’s chances of qualification, as most of the first team players are foreign based and could have missed out in the residential training anyway.

“Of course such stories are not encouraging, but I doubt it will affect the team. A majority of the first tem players don’t play at home so they would still have linked up with the squad in Ethiopia anyway.

“Keep in mind that key players will be together for two days prior to the Wednesday match, and afterwards they will train together for close to a week before the return match and that is the norm across all African countries,” he said.

Regarding the recent development where world football governing body Fifa suspended Sierra Leone Football Association from all activities due to government interference thereby boosting Kenya’s chances of qualification, Mulee said:

“Despite their ban, they can be reinstated at any time if they comply with Fifa rules so it is very dangerous to view that as an advantage.”

A team of five national team players travelled to Ethiopia on Saturday morning, and they will be joined by the rest of the squad this afternoon in Addis Ababa before the entire contingent proceeds to the northern city of Bahir Dar.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Patrick Matasi (Tusker, Kenya), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya)

Defenders:

Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers, Kenya), Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg FC, South Africa), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA)

Midfielders:

Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Ismael Gonzales (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan)

Forwards:

Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka, Kenya), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden)