TOUGH DRAW FOR STARS: Wanyama calls for focus as Fifa release World Cup format

Harambee Stars midfielder Kevin Kimani takes a selfie with captain Victor Mugubi Wanyama (C) and Ayub Timbe after they landed at the Maya–Maya Airport in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo on June 12, 2015 .

Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama has called for focus ahead of the upcoming World Cup 2018 qualifier against Mauritius.

The skipper, who plies his trade for Southampton in the English Premier League, alluded to the fact a team cannot perform without adequate preparations.

Wanyama called on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to immediately embark on preparations ahead of what he referred to as a tough match against Mauritius.

“I am happy with the World Cup draws but we have to be reminded it can never be a walk in the park as Mauritius are a very good side with pedigree. It would be wrong to look down on any team if at all we want to qualify as the football dynamics in Africa have changed drastically.”

“We have to embark on serious and timely preparations to avoid last-minute disappointments. FKF have to ensure they organise themselves in a timely fashion to ensure the team gets ample preparations.
“With many friendly matches and good plans going into the matches, we have a herculean task but we have very good players who  can do the job as long as everything is put in place appropriately.

“Every player’s dream is to qualify for the World Cup and we have to put into account that we have rounds against Mauritius and Cape Verde who are currently riding high to be assured of the group stages,” Wanyama told supersport.com.

“I am optimistic the upcoming football elections will not affect the plans for the important matches, that is why I call on all stakeholders to rally behind the team and ensure they get everything that will give them the morale to succeed as players. I know that we are committed to the course and will work hard to make our fans happy,” he added.

The winners after the second round will be lumped into five groups consisting of four countries each and they will face each other in home and away ties from October 3, 2016 to November 14, 2017, with each group winner automatically qualifying for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia