STARS HOLD CRANES: Host Uganda fail to get better of Kenya in friendly match

Harambee Stars held Uganda Cranes to a barren draw during Tuesday’s international friendly match at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Kampala.

The two coaches fielded their best sides giving players who had just come from their weekend league assignments.

The home team had the first chance to go ahead when Victor Wanyama cleared Godfrey Massa’s well taken shot from a Godfrey Walusimbi early corner kick. The Kenyan backline was always under pressure in the opening minutes of the match.
At the quarter-hour mark, Eric Ouma cleared another dangerous attack by Moses Oloya winning the home team their second corner kick. Kenya had a chance to come back five minutes later when Victor Wanyama won a free kick near the Uganda Cranes goal post but the effort went wide.
The Ugandan backline was proving difficult to break and Kenya even with celebrated Zesco United forward Jesse Were were not having it easy.

There was, however, some good play from the Kenyans especially in the second half where Eric Johanna came close while Eric Ouma was a terror with a free kick that went wide.
Both teams were using the match as part of their preparations for the forth-coming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to be played this weekend.
Uganda Cranes will host Comoros needing only a draw to qualify for next year’s tournament while Kenya play away to Zambia with nothing at stake.

It is the third friendly match that Harambee Stars are playing under Stanley Okumbi who was appointed to the post this year.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo has complained that his players always come back worse off after being in the national team Harambee Stars camp training.

The under fire coach further said the players lose the basics he teaches them something he says sometimes affects their performance.

“This is not an excuse but we have seven players in the national team and every time they come back, they are different. While our character is to play short passes and two touches, they lose this and we have to start all over again,” Marcelo said during a local sports programme on SuperSport.

His sentiments were supported by former Harambee Stars coach Jacob Mulee who pointed out that the national team training should focus more on tactical training.

“I understand Marcelo’s predicament and perhaps it is time for the national team coach and KPL coaches to sit down and agree on an appropriate training. Physical training should be minimised at the national team. Instead the players should focus more on technical and tactical training so that it does not affect them when they go back to their clubs,” said Mulee.