Stars coach not concerned with drop in Fifa ranking

HARAMBEE VS LIBERIA Kenya Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi against Liberia during their International friendly at Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday 15/11/16. Kenya won 1-0.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi says he is not perturbed by the national team’s drop in the latest Fifa rankings.

Kenya, who were initially ranked 85th, dropped four places in the world ratings released on Thursday despite a twin 1-0 victory over lowly ranked Mozambique and Liberia in international friendly matches a few weeks ago.

The two wins did not help Stars as both Black Mambas and Lone Star are ranked lower than Kenya.

In an interview with Feverpitch in Cameroon, Okumbi disputed the quality of their friendly matches for the drop.

“At the moment, I cannot say I am concerned about it because we won our last two matches and we expected to rise on the Fifa rankings.

“But since we have dropped four places, we cannot do anything but focus on our next assignments and forget about the rankings,” said Okumbi said.

“Whether we played against lowly ranked teams or not the beauty of it all is that we won the matches. The best thing we can do is to win again the upcoming matches whether against strong opposition or weak.”

The former Mathare United coach was also quick to refute claims that his team was challenged by the Starlets’ impressive form before the Africa Women Cup of Nations tournament.

“No I was not challenged by Starlets performance. If I was then that means I didn’t want them to win, but I was always motivated and happy when they won because this is our national team.

‘In fact I have been behind them every time they play. I have even been training with the team sometimes,” Okumbi said.

Commenting on the upcoming Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Okumbi said: “I am not sure if the tournament is there this year.

“But if by any chance it is held, our local-based players are ready for that duty.”

Okumbi extended his unbeaten run to eight matches after their 1-0 over the Lone Stars of Liberia at Kasarani Stadium on Novemeber 16.