As the dust settles on Harambee Stars qualification for the final round of the African Nations Cup/ World Cup 2010 qualifiers, we need to ask ourselves this question,"where do we go from here?" Are the Stars going to face more upheaval with Francis Kimanzi's tenure as head coach uncertain or will they be accorded all the support and stability required to bring out more sterling performances?
The draw for the final round of qualifying takes place on Wednesday 22nd October 2008 in Zurich where Kenya gets to know here opponents for the final round. What plans does the KFF or the people handling the Stars have in store? To the best of my knowledge there are several FIFA sanctioned dates for friendlies between October and March 2009 when the qualifiers kick off. It would be ideal for the KFF to organize several fixtures both home and away in readiness for the task at hand. Let them not wait for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, it is upon the KFF to take the initiative to keep the Stars' busy in the interim. It is amazing how the Stars' qualified for the final round having played only ONE build match against Malawi while other federations took advantage of the FIFA sanctioned dates tokeep their representative sides busy.
It is imperative that the team stays together, and stays active so as to improve the team's general performance. It is worth noting that Dennis Oliech bagged five of Kenya's eight goals during the first stage of qualifying. This is simplistic thinking but don't you think that having the team play more matches together will bring out more goal scorers as well as more talent in all departments. Keeping the team busy would also help identify areas requiring corrective action. It is important to note that in the recent loss to Guinea, Kenya conceded two goals from setpiece situations.
The recent fixture in Guinea exposed Kenya's weaknesses in playing away from home, the team was subdued for large spells of the game,threatening but lacking lacking confidence though their fightback with eight minutes left spoke volumes. I hold the view that if, in the forthcoming period,if the KFF were able to keep the team together and get them to play fixtures away from home in hostile environments, we could be in serious contention for a berth at the Cup of Nations in Angola and it would be realistic to dream about playing in the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.Just look at Nakuru RFC's steady rise to prominence, they have been together for close to three years and are slowing staking a claim as one of the teams to beat on the Kenya club rugby scene.If a community based club from Nakuru has reaped the benefits of growing a team, why can't the KFF? This,in my opinion is the first step towards making Kenya an African footballing powerhouse.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Gallant Stars fall to Guinea but still qualify for final round of qualifiers
Trailing 0-3 with 8 minutes left on the ticker at the September 28 Stadium in Conakry, Guinea, sensational striker Dennis Oliech proved to be the menace we all know him to be when he struck a double as Kenya eventually went down 2-3 to the hosts.
Ismael Bangoura kept up his prolific goal scoring record for Guinea with a first-half goal set up by Fode Mansare.
Two more goals from defender Mamadou Bah and Kamil Zayatte after the hour mark increased Guinea’s lead but Kenya fought back with two goals from French-based striker Dennis Oliech in the last eight minutes.
Oliech first scored at the near post from a Kevin Ochieng cross, silencing the home team who had begun showboating, assured of the three points and qualification to the final round of qualifying. If his first goal was classy, the second was sheer brilliance. Oliech picked up a loose ball deep in the Guinea half, skipped past five players before blasting the ball past a stranded Naby Yattara in the Guinea goal.
The win enabled Guinea top Group Two with 11 points and Kenya, who were on top going into the match, finished second but well within the points bracket to seal passage to the next round as one of the best second-placed eight teams.
Harambee Stars looked vulnerable from set pieces and attacks from the flanks but overall this was one of their best performances away from home in many years. Maybe more high profile matches away from home will give them that extra edge in away fixtures. The KFF should also retain the technical bench and keep the team together.Just a thought.
The draw for the final round of qualifying takes place on 22nd October in Zurich. The 2010 World Cup dream remains alive for the Stars.
Ismael Bangoura kept up his prolific goal scoring record for Guinea with a first-half goal set up by Fode Mansare.
Two more goals from defender Mamadou Bah and Kamil Zayatte after the hour mark increased Guinea’s lead but Kenya fought back with two goals from French-based striker Dennis Oliech in the last eight minutes.
Oliech first scored at the near post from a Kevin Ochieng cross, silencing the home team who had begun showboating, assured of the three points and qualification to the final round of qualifying. If his first goal was classy, the second was sheer brilliance. Oliech picked up a loose ball deep in the Guinea half, skipped past five players before blasting the ball past a stranded Naby Yattara in the Guinea goal.
The win enabled Guinea top Group Two with 11 points and Kenya, who were on top going into the match, finished second but well within the points bracket to seal passage to the next round as one of the best second-placed eight teams.
Harambee Stars looked vulnerable from set pieces and attacks from the flanks but overall this was one of their best performances away from home in many years. Maybe more high profile matches away from home will give them that extra edge in away fixtures. The KFF should also retain the technical bench and keep the team together.Just a thought.
The draw for the final round of qualifying takes place on 22nd October in Zurich. The 2010 World Cup dream remains alive for the Stars.
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