KENYA UPBEAT: Coach Williamson confident of posting positive results in Botswana

Haramebee Stars under 23 striker Enock Agwanda during the team's training session at Kasarani on April 21, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

With just a day before the national under-23 team plays Botswana in an Africa Youth Championships match, coach Bobby Williamson is confident of posting positive results away.

Williamson said yesterday, he is hoping to do better than the All-Africa games qualifiers where Kenya lost to Egypt.

His confidence comes from the fact that the players understand each other and he has had an opportunity to test them against Seychelles whom they beat.

“We are very positive about winning this one. The players have been longer together and the positive results we picked in Seychelles gives us a lot of confidence. We are also banking on the fact that our opponents don’t know us and hope we can pull a surprise,” Williamson said at Kasarani.

But the Scott, who also doubles up as the national team Harambee Stars coach, complained that he is still finding it difficult to have all the players together due to a congested league.

FULL HOUSE

“Last week, it was difficult to have a full house as some teams wanted their players for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches and we cannot blame them. We don’t expect this challenge to be sorted out soon because even when we come back, some teams will play catch up matches and this is something we have to live with,” he added.

Williamson revealed that influential striker Michael Olunga has pulled out of the team to concentrate on exams. 

OLUNGA PULLED OUT

Olunga, who turns out for Gor Mahia, has been impressive at club level and is one of the players who would have been depended on to score goals for the under-23 side.

At the same time, Williamson said former captain Dennis Oliech has not been ruled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Williamson said he will consider all available players including Oliech whose form has dipped in recent years.

“As long as Oliech still has something to offer to the team, we will consider him. If he can help us then he will be given a chance just like anyone else out there who is a Kenyan and has something positive to give to the team,” he said.

Williamson was, however, quick to add that his main focus remains bringing in young players into the team.

“The bulk of the team will be made up of experienced players and then the younger players will come in. We are considering including five players from the national under-23 team into the current squad.”

Kenya start their 2017 campaign away to Zambia in June. They will also play Congo Brazzaville and Guinea Bissau.