Hey stays away, Twahir takes charge

James Waindi

The relationship between coach Antoine Hey and Football Kenya Limited (FKL) officials hit rock bottom last night as the German stayed away from Harambee Stars’ evening training session.

Hey skipped the training to protest FKL’s decision to call up Mathare United defender Edgar Ochieng and midfielder Jamal Mohammed.

In a swift rejoinder, FKL officials who seem to be having a severe relationship with the German tactician directed assistant coach Twahir Mohammed to take over the team and embark on serious training at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

FKL’s reaction and Hey’s belligerence could signal an anticipated end to their eight-month their bittersweet marriage of convenience.

Hey is said to have vowed not to coach the team if Ochieng and Mohammed who were out of his plans in near future, are forced into the team by the federation.

"We were expected to train in the morning, but Hey called off the training because Ochieng and Mohammed had joined camp. He also wanted to shelve this afternoon’s session saying he had his list of players and could not allow the two to train, but as a Team Manager contracted by FKL I could only follow my employers’ directives and ensure smooth administration in the camp," said Team Manager Edward Oduor.

The regular players welcomed the arrival of the duo and seemed to side with their colleagues over the coach.

Arm-twisted

Oduor said Ochieng would help bolster the defence, which has been leaking simple and early goals in recent qualifiers, while Mohammed and Ake would fill the void left by Parma’s McDonald Mariga and Sweden based Robert Mambo who are both out with injuries.

FKL second vice chairman Erastus Okul said they were tired of being arm twisted by the coach and vowed to stand by the decision of calling the two players. The federation over-ruled the coach and recalled striker Dennis Oliech, Ochieng, Mohammed and Denmark-based Emmanuel Ake after Stars lost 5-0 to Kuwait in an international friendly encounter last week.

"If it’s disciplining a player, does it mean you discipline him for life and yet the country needs him. As patriotic Kenyans we have decided to include the said players with a view of winning the last qualifiers at all costs," said Okul.

Super Eagles

FKL chairman Mohammed Hatimy did not commit himself on the sacking of the tactician, saying: "We are waiting for a technical report from the technical bench tomorrow (today) then we as the executive would decide on what action to take, but at the moment I don’t know why Hey boycotted yesterday’s training because he has not submitted a letter of resignation."

"Nigeria has called 40 of their best players, showing how serious they are taking this match, why can’t we also invite all our best players so that we can field our strongest team against Nigeria on Saturday. If anything, we are the ones who proposed all the players to Hey when he came because he didn’t know any of them, why is he resisting the same move now," posed Hatimy.

The camp was almost full house on Monday and only skipper Musa Otieno and striker Dennis Oliech were missing, but they were expected last night from South Africa.

 

 

Read all about: FKL Twahir Mohammed Harambee Stars Antoine Hey

 

 

---