Hey skips Stars’ training again

By Gilbert Wandera

Harambee Stars stand in coach Twahir Muhiddin has upped the intensity of his training with less than four days before the team takes on Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.

German coach Antoine Hey stayed away for the third day running and was holed up at Safari Park Hotel.

The team on Wednesday played a local build-up match against Football Kenya Nationwide league side Karura United at Kasarani, which Stars won 5-2.

Muhiddin said he was using the match to strategise on his tactics in a real game and he must have been impressed by what he saw.

Denmark-based Emmanuel Ake scored two goals with Jockins Atudo, Patrick Oboya and Victor Mugabe adding one each.

The result however left a little concern about the defence, which was constantly under attack from the lower division club that is handled by former AFC Leopards coach Gilbert Selebwa.

Dennis Otieno and Ibrahim Shida, who scored a goal each for the losers continuously exposed Stars’ defence.

Stability in back

But Muhiddin was confident that given the remaining time he is capable of tying up the loose ends.

Muhiddin praised Mathare United defender Edgar Ochieng’, whose inclusion in the side is one of the reasons Hey stayed off, saying the player had brought plenty of stability at the back. Said Muhiddin: "The team is now complete and we have a lot of stability at the back brought by Ochieng’."

He said Wednesday’s friendly helped him try out different systems of play and different players and is satisfied with what he saw.

"My aim was to identify which player can fit where. We do not want to force anyone to play where they are not comfortable. We tried two systems in either half and everything looks good," he said.

Muhiddin announced that he is recalling Sofapaka marksman John Baraza after Mathare United midfielder Titus Mulama said he has retired from international duty.

"We called up Mulama but he indicated he indicated he was done with international duty and we respect his stand. We have asked Baraza to step in and boost our attack,""he explained.

Baraza is the league’s top scorer with 15 goals to his name. With one remaining, Baraza is tipped to win the Golden Boot award.

Sports Minister Hellen Sambili is expected to visit the team at their Kasarani hostels this morning.

 

 

Read all about: Football Kenya Kenyan premier league Harambee Stars Kenya Antoine Hey

 

 

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