Harambee Stars coach thinks of ways to navigate past Tanzania

Harambee Stars' Coach Stanley Okumbi during training for return leg in Guinea-Bissau at Utalii College on Saturday, March 19, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDAR

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi will be looking for his first win in his third match when Kenya take on Tanzania today at Kasarani.

The results of the Fifa-recognised international friendly will count towards the ranking of both counties and therefore, they will give it their best shot.

Okumbi has so far been in-charge of two 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he lost 1-0 twice to Guinea Bissau.
After the losses, there was hue and cry among fans, who were yet again left heartbroken. Reality of cheering other teams at the continental piece hit them hard. It was yet another missed chance by the national team.

Kenya will play Congo on June 5 in what is essentially a dead-rubber in the 2017 qualifiers.

Ahead of today’s clash against Tanzania, Okumbi insisted he is not under any pressure, but will be focused on getting his team to play well.

“I have no reason to be under pressure. We have prepared well and my desire is for the players to show it on the pitch. After that, everything else will fall into place,” he said.

“This is an important fixture for us because it will affect our rankings; therefore, we must take it seriously. It is also a good preparation towards our match against Congo next weekend.”

Okumbi is also delighted that team captain Victor Wanyama passed a late fitness test on Friday and is available for selection.

“He had picked a knock during training, but doctors said he can play. It is inspiring to have him available for selection,” said the coach.

Apart from Sweden-based Michael Olunga, Arnold Origi, who plays in Norway and Brian Mandela, who is in South Africa, majority of the players who featured in the last matches are available.

Gor Mahia keeper Boniface Oluoch is tipped to start and Zesco’s David ‘Calabar’ Owino is available too.