Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne eyes ticket to CHAN

Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne instructs players during a training session at Kasarani stadium ahead of their AFCON qualifier match against Ghana. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

After helping Harambee Stars qualify for their first ever Africa Cup of Nations finals in 15 years, coach Sebastian Migne believes he can make it two in a row by playing in the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) next year.

Harambee Stars take on Burundi in the first round of the CHAN qualifier on July 26 in Nairobi with the return leg two days later.

The winner of the match will play either Sudan or Tanzania one month later. Speaking when he named a 32 member provisional squad to take on Burundi, Migne said he is confident the team will make it to the final tournament next year.

“We are playing Burundi and are confident of picking a win in the first round though it will not be easy considering that they too have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations final,” he said.

He added:”We want to rewrite the history of Kenyan football and playing in CHAN is one our biggest ambition.”

Migne however complained that there will be no enough time to prepare for the CHAN qualifiers considering they kick off immediately after the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

“It is unfair for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to insist on such a congested fixture. Teams will not have time to be ready for the qualifiers as it comes immediately after the tournament in Egypt. Perhaps we should have had more time to prepare,” he said.

Migne is also weary of playing Ethiopia in the CHAN qualifiers after the team were stripped of hosting next year’s event for not being ready.

This means Ethiopia will take part in the qualifiers and could play Kenya at some point.

The tournament is for local based players and was started by CAF four years ago. Kenya has never qualified for the tournament since inception.

Last year, Kenya would have played in the tournament as they had been picked as hosts only for the event to be taken away as the country was deemed not to be ready.

Wazito’s Teddy Osok is among those who have been called by Migne for the match against Burundi.

The player has been impressive helping Wazito to remain at the top of the National Super League (NSL) standings.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:  Farouk Shikalo, John Oyemba and Brian Bwire

Defenders: Philemon Otieno, Joash Onyango, Bernard Ochieng Charles Momanyi Michael Kibwage, Andrew Juma, David Ochieng, David Owino and Eric Juma.

Midfielders: Roy Okal, Teddy Osok, Patillah Omotto, Dennis Odhiambo, Ibrahim Shambi, Duke Abuya, Whyvonne Izusa, Cliff Nyakeya, Kenneth Muguna, Francis Kahata, Samuel Onyango, Paul Were, Samuel Onyango, Abdalla Hassan, Joe Waithera.

Strikers: John Avire , Sydney Lokale, Nicholas Kipkirui, Piston Mutamba, Allan Wanga and  Enos Ochieng.