By Gilbert Wandera
Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyan national football team coach, Adel Amrouche, says the team will not be intimidated by the African champions, Nigeria when they meet on June 5 in the World Cup qualifier in Nairobi despite the absence of two key players.
Kenya will be without team captain Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who are both suspended for the match and Amrouche has challenged local players to step on the big stage.
“We have a young squad and I expect to field a good number of local players. I believe they are capable of giving us positive results against Nigeria.
“The training has been good, so far. We still have a few more days to tie up lose ends,” said the coach.
Amrouche also announced that the team will move to Naivasha Wednesday for specialised training ahead of the World Cup qualifier.
“We have settled on Naivasha because it is conducive and will give our players the concentration required to focus on the game. We don’t want them to be distracted by other family and domestic problems,” Amrouche said.
He also confirmed that Genk forward Ayub Timbe and Parma midfielder, MacDonald Mariga, have pulled out of his squad to face Nigeria. Timbe cited ‘personal’ reasons for his decision to pull out of the team while Mariga is scheduled to undergo an operation in the US.
But the coach is unhappy by Timbe’s move since it was not related to injury and he would have been a good addition to the squad.
This is the second time Timbe has declined a call-up for national duty. He refused to play for Kenya in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier against Nigeria claiming he is owed ticket refunds. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) denied the allegations.
“I am disappointed that Timbe has refused to honour national duty due to personal reasons. This was his chance to make a difference considering the level of opposition we are facing. Playing Nigeria is a great opportunity for any player to build his career.
“With this attitude, he should not expect any further call-ups to the national team because I am only willing to work with those who are ready to work with me,” the coach pointed out.
He also confirmed that South Africa-based David Gateri is injured and there are concerns about the fitness of Origi, who, though not eligible for the match against Nigeria, is free to play 10 days later against Malawi.
“We have invited him (Gateri) to camp and be looked at by the doctors. Since we play Malawi immediately, he is a great option in the midfield.
“On Origi, we are told he is injured on his finger, but it’s not our concern now. We have replacements and the one who is fit on that day will play,” said Amrouche.
