Namibia v/s Kenya

Group B: Namibia (Brave Warriors) Vs Kenya (Harambee Stars): Independence Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia – Sarturday, 31st May 2008

Kenya and Namibia have only locked horns twice in their history – during the 1998 Burkina Faso Nations Cup qualifiers.

With German Reinhardt Fabisch at the helm of Harambee Stars, it was expected that Kenya would have an easy sailing for the 1998 Cup of Nations. Kenya had been pooled in Group 5 together with Namibia, Cameroon & Gabon.

In the first game of the qualifiers Kenya fell to a last minute goal to Namibia – an perfect own goal by wingback Francis Oduor. In the return tie here in Nairobi, the statistics showed Kenya’s 26 shots had all gone to waste with tall and bulky Namibian keeper Ronnie Kanalelo single handedly punching Kenya out of the Africa Cup diadem.

A blunder by Gor Mahia defender Oscar Kambona gifted Namibia the only shot at goal which went all the way past the then fancied Kenyan keeper Francis Onyiso. The game ended 1-0 and Kenya was out of the running.

2008 Nations Cup qualifiers

The Brave warriors, as Namibia is fondly known have a slight edge of Harambee Stars.

In the run up to the 26th Cup of Nations, Namibia topped Group 10 registering three wins in the six qualifying games to end up with 10 points. Dr. Congo, Libya and Ethiopia were the other group members and finished in that order behind Namibia. A 3-2 win away in Ethiopia won it for Namibia.

At the Cup of Nations held between Jan 20th and 10th Feb this year, Namibia failed to register any win in Group A that included hosts Ghana, Morocco and Guinea. Despite a 5-1 loss to Morocco, 1-0 loss to Ghana, Namibia ran Guinea close in the last game to register a deserved 1-1 draw.

With two goals scored, seven conceded, Namibia came off the 26th Nations Cup placed 13th in the 16 team event.

On the other hand, Kenya failed miserably in the run up to the 26th Nations Cup finishing third in Group 6 behind Angola and Eritrea. Swaziland came in last. While Namibia brushed shoulders with the high and mighty of African Soccer in Ghana's 2008 Nations Cup , Kenya only qualified for seats at home and in bars and watched the event on Pay TV.

The campaign was disastrous with Kenya losing the first two games. Three different coaches: Bernard Lama, Tom Olaba and Jacob Ghost Mulee each handled the Harambee Stars team in the first three games. Mulee went on to handle the team in the last three games. Out of the six games, there were just two wins - a 2-0 win over Swaziland in Nairobi, and a 2-1 win over Angola that came a little too late – it never mattered.

Namibia will therefore start the game on Saturday two up against Kenya. In the latest Fifa rankings (May 2008), Kenya is placed at 120 (Africa 35nd) - while Namibia is further down at 129 (Africa – 36th).

Near misses

Both Kenya and Namibia have had near misses towards their game on Saturday. Namibia’s issue though has been a grass affair, or related. Three of its stadiums that could be used to host the qualifiers were unavailable close to a month ago. The Windhoek Independence Stadium was however given a clean bill of health close to a week ago by FIFA. Up and till then Namibia was looking more likely to pull out of the qualifiers, or play home games away.

Kenya on the other hand was facing troubles of all sorts. Spoiler per see, one Sam Nyamweya took advantage of a new Minister and ran to present his faction of the Federation as legit. A court order soon was slapped on the Federation led by Hatimy that closely works with FIFA.

Until yesterday, two sets of teams and technical benches were preparing for the same tie but one group had to ‘die’ out due to lack of players. The entire core team reported at the training camp under tutelage of Coach Francis Kimanzi and a strong 18 man team is in place for the tie. Squabbles for office very nearly attracted a ban from FIFA. That it seems may have come to pass and fans can look forward to the game on Saturday.

Players

Kenya will have to do a ‘Harambee’ in midfield to fill in the unavailability of its fastest rising midfield prospect McDonald Mariga of Parma who will not make it for the tie.

On the other hand, Namibia will bravely miss the services of Collin Benjamin of German side Hamburg SV who is out of the game with a toe injury. Another midfielder Oliver Risser of German side Hannover 96 is also out with a niggling ankle injury.

Nonetheless, Namibian Coach Arie Schans and his two assistants Ronnie Kanalelo and Brian Isaacs will have no less than ten other professionals in the 18 man Namibian squad waiting to spear Kenya.

Coach Kimanzi and his assistant James Nandwa have also assembled a squad to shield the Brave Warriors with eight home based players and another ten playing afar.

Coach Kimanzi will however need to look at Kenya’s past statistics on away games to understand the task ahead. Kenya’s pathetic away record had earlier been highlighted as per the link: http://www.kenyafootball.com/index.php?doc=story&id=2101&categ=1#

Teams

Namibia Team – expected to be trimmed:

Keeper: Athiel Mbaha (Orlando Pirates, SA) & Esau Tjiuoro (FC Civics Windhoek), Maximillian Mbaeva (African Stars)

Defenders: Ivan Namaseb (FC AK, SA), Hartman Toromba (Black Leopards, SA), Richard Gariseb (Bidvest Wits, SA), Steven Goaxab (Orlando Pirates, SA), Jeremia Baisako & Michael Pienaar (Ramblers)

Midfielders: Brian Gurirab (Premeiro De Maio Benguela, Angola), Quinton Jacobs (Bryne FK, Norway). Brian Brendell, Tugela Tuyeni, Jamu Ngatjizeko (FC Civics Windhoek)

Strikers: Lazarus Kaimbi (Jomo Cosmos, SA), Costa Khaiseb (FC AK, SA), Wilco Risser, (Schalke 04, Germany), Rudolph Bester (FC Cukaricki Stenkom, Serbia), Floris Diergaardt (FC Civics Windhoek), Arend Von Stryk (SKW)

Kenya Squad

Keepers: Arnold Origi (Moss FK, Norway) & Jackton Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)

Defenders: Edgar Ochieng (Al Shabaab,Oman), Lloyd Wahome, Anthony Kimani & Kennedy Ayong (Mathare United), Ibrahim Shikanda & John Njoroge (Tusker)

Midfielders: Kelvin Ochieng (Al Shabaab,Oman) Osborne Monday (Al Shabaab,Oman), Austin Makacha (Mathare United), Titus Mulama – Vice Captain (Vasteras SK, Sweden), Robert Mambo – Captain (Sundsvall GIF, Sweden)

Strikers: Dennis Oliech (AJ Auxerre, France), Patrick Oboya (Said Most, Czechia), Allan Wanga (Petro Luanda/Atletico, Angola), Boniface Ambani (Salgaocar, India) & Francis Ouma (Mathare United)

Info courtesy of KenyaFootball.com

MORE STORIES

STARS HEAD SOUTH FOR NAMIBIA CLASH

STARS OFF TO NAMIBIA

Trio make stars debut as Mambo named captain

Three players without international experience made the cut as Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi named his final team travelling to Namibia on Thursday.

Stars take on Namibia on Saturday in a World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.




Gor Mahia goalkeeper Jacktone Odhiambo was the biggest surprise making the team ahead of Tusker FC custodian Joseph Ruto, who was not picked for the Namibia match.

Odhiambo was dropped in his first call-up by former Stars coach Jacob Mulee when the team played Tanzania in a CAF Africa Championships qualifier in March.

Mathare United defenders, Kennedy Ayong and Anthony Kimani are the other new call-ups in the team that travels to Windhoek.

Kimanzi also announced that Swedish top division side GIF SundSvall mid-fielder Robert Mambo has been given the captain’s band.

"We looked around and after consulting the players it was decided that Mambo commands enough respect to be the captain," said Kimanzi during a press conference to unveil his side.

Asked about Star’s chances in Namibia, Kimanzi said," As things stand now the two teams have a point each because the score is 0-0. We obviously hope to win but if the match ends like this we will be happy," he said.

Kimanzi said morale was high in camp and they have no injuries and therefore expect to play well in Windhoek.

He revealed that none of the players remaining behind have been dropped and will be part of the squad to be considered for Kenya’s next game against Zimbabwe on June 7 in Nairobi.

"No one has been dropped. Those selected today are the ones who are needed for our opening match of the qualifiers," said Kimanzi who was accompanied by his two assistants Yussuf Chipo and James Nandwa.

Team captain Mambo said they are well motivated and remain confident to do well in Namibia.

"We do not have the same problems we have experienced before. We are well motivated in and outside the pitch and hope to do well," said Mambo serving his second stint as skipper.

Story/Picture Courtesy of THE STANDARD GROUP

OTHER STORIES

Click here to view the Kenya squad for Namibia match

Oboya sets sights on La Liga

Kimanzi says this is Kenya's best chance to reach WC 2010 finals

We’ll stick to strategy and do our best, says Kimanzi

Mambo retains captain's armband