Otieno: Prepare early for 2012 CAN

By Gilbert Wandera

Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno has urged local football administrators to start early preparation if Kenya is to make it to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Otieno, who is in the country on holidays said those in charge of the sport have at least two years and they must take advantage of this time to build a strong team that can do well in the qualifiers.

"It is time to go back to the drawing board and there is time to do that but they must start early.

"This is the time to bring in young players, groom them and give them international exposure," he said.

The Sanlam Santos defender said the January 9 international friendly against Cameroon in Nairobi is a good starting point and it must be used to bring in young players into the team.

"This is an important match for both teams. For Cameroon they will be using it to gauge their preparedness for the Nations Cup while Kenya should see it as an opportunity to begin to build a new team that will fight for a place in the 2012 Nations Cup finals," he said.

Regarding his club, Otieno said he was happy they finished in the top five position as the Premier Soccer League took a break last week.

The league resumes next month on its last stretch. Otieno said: "We have done quite well and finishing fourth with seven matches to go is a great achievement. We can improve on this when the league resumes."

Otieno runs a foundation at Jericho grounds and has been spending time giving tips to young stars but has decried the lack of commitment from volunteers.

"I am disappointed this foundation does not run when I am away because people expect to be paid to train these youngsters."

 

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