The midfielder of Harambee stars, Austin Odhiambo, assured the Kenyans that the team’s goal is to make sure they reach the final of the African Nations (Chan) Totalnnergies Nations Championship tournament and lift the trophy on home.
Kenya co-hosts the biennial competition reserved for players who play for clubs in their respective leagues, alongside the neighbors of East Africa, Uganda and Tanzania.
Harambee Stars, which is attracted by group A – undoubtedly the “group of death” – will face the heavy goods vehicles Dr Congo, Morocco, Zambia and Angola in what promises to be a demanding campaign.
Kenya, under coach Benni McCarthy, trained in Kasarani Annex, an adjacent place at the Kasarani stadium, before the tournament which takes place from August 2 to 30. Kenya will make its debut in the Chan, gracked its role of three co-hosts of the tournament, alongside the neighbors of East Africa, Ouganda and Tanzania.
Kenya excited and ready for Chan
According to Odhiambo, 25, who proved to be previously proven to be for the Leopards of the Kenya Football Federation (FKF), and was one of the Kenya U20 teams, and U23, by virtue of Kenya hosting the last Harambee stars set their goal of playing in front of their fans and welcoming him.
“We have been waiting for this tournament for a very long time, and I think boys are excited and ready for the tournament,” said Odhiambo Flashscore.
“It is a privilege to represent the national team and once again with a lot of pressure, because we have the tournament on our home soil, Kenya, so we must represent the country quite good, and no excuse to play badly.”
On the way in which Harambee Stars players will manage the pressure to play the biggest scene, Odhiambo said: “We will try the best that we can make our fans happy, because in doing so, the pressure will drop. With the crowd behind us, this is a very good opportunity for us, we must use the support of the crowd against our opponents and go for positive results. ”
On the question of whether Kenya goes for the title Chan, Odhiambo, who presents the Kenyans Gor Mahia champions record, replied: “Of course, yes, (we want to win the title).
“We organize the tournament, and we must have the goal of winning it. As players, we must have this winning mentality, we must aim to be champions each time we play in a tournament, so in my opinion, we have the character to play well and win the trophy.”
Odhiambo added: “It will be a team effort, you cannot do it alone, it is a team effort and we all have to think the same thing, the whole team that you have to think the same thing, so I believe that we all have the mentality entering the tournament and we will return the proud Kenyans.”
Odhiambo’s feelings were taken over by the defender and his teammate at Club Alphonce Omija, who excluded that the team was under pressure before the tournament.
“There is no pressure, we have no pressure, it is only football played on the field, and even if we have pressure, then we know how to cool it, so it’s nothing to fear,” said Omija.
On the question of whether Kenya will play in the final, Omija said: “It’s our target, each team is available to play in the final, but we are ready for each match, we want to attack it at a time.”
With only weeks before the stiffness of the curtain against Dr Congo at the Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, McCarthy made changes to his provisional team of 30 players by focusing five. Those who were abandoned include the goalkeeper of Tusker Brian Opondo, Kelly Madada of AFC Leopards, Keith Imbali of Shabana FC and the duo of the stars of Ulinzi Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo.
South African legend has further strengthened the team with the arrivals of the anchor of the Kenya midfielder FC Marvin Nabwire and goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, who is not currently attached after leaving the Bandari FC at the end of last season.
McCarthy will also have to do without two key attackers Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro. Initially appointed to the provisional team, the two former players of Kakamega Homeboyz and FC Talanta, are now inadmissible to represent Kenya after having finished the transfer to the Champions of the Zambian Super League on permanent contracts of two years.
Shumah finished last season as the top scorer of FKF Premier League with 17 goals, while Osoro finished second with 16 goals and provided seven assists.
Kenya to refine for Chan in the four nations tournament
Before the Chan tournament, coach McCarthy will have the opportunity to assess the preparation of his team when Harambee stars participate in a Cecafa Four-Nations tournament scheduled for July 21 to 27 in the Karatu stadium in the Arusha region, Tanzania.
Congo Brazzaville was aligned to appear in the tournament, but they have retired and have now been replaced by Senegal. In addition to Sudan, which always finishes its league, all the Cecafa teams who will play in the Totalngeengies Nations Nations (Chan) Nations will play in the Cecafa Four Nations tournament.
Confirm that the Director of Competitions of Congo, Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Yusuf Mossi, said: “It is unfortunate that Congo Brazzaville has retired because of certain logistics challenges, but Senegal participated in our teams in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania a real test of a team from another area.”
Kenya coach McCarthy expressed his pleasure in having a chance to test his players before the Chan tournament. “It will really be a good opportunity to see the players in a real competitive configuration,” said McCarthy as mentioned by Cafonline.
“It is also a chance for us to assess the systems on which we have worked and to observe how the players react under pressure from the match. He is crucial to create a momentum before our opening match against Dr. Congo.”
The tournament will be played in the round with each team playing three games. Harambee Stars of Kenya will open his campaign against Uganda on July 21, while Tanzania hosts will face Senegal the next day.
The third day of the July 24 match will see the face of Senegal, Uganda, while Tanzania beat Kenya. The last day of July 27 will see Kenya playing against Senegal, while Uganda will come up against the stars of Taifa in Tanzania.
(Tagstranslate) Football (T) African Nations (T) Austine Odhiambo (T) Benni McCarthy (T) Kenya (T) African Football (T) Kenya