Have the wheels truly turned for Harambee Stars?

By JOHN NANDWA

As Harambee Stars prepare to face Namibia in a World Cup qualifying match, few are asking if the wheels have truly turned for the national team.

This is because even though the Stars’ are seeking victory, they will be playing for pride as well as to improve their Fifa ranking as their chances of qualifying for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil have all but diminished.

But in terms of future outlook, the broader point to consider is whether the national team is going forward rather than standing still.

Despite failing to qualify for Brazil, current evidence suggests that Adel Amrouche has a long-term plan for the team.

One remarkable fact is that since taking over as national team head coach, Adel Amrouche has made the national team’s defence to be more miserly.

While the team has not set the stadium alight with Brazilian or Spanish flair, one could argue that the Belgian tactician has succeeded in making the team ‘hard to beat’ through defensive solidity.

Indeed, while it is almost impossible to describe what Amrouche’s football philosophy is, you could say that the tactic so far has been to build a solid defensive foundation, then the midfield and the strike force could be sorted in that order.

It is clear that Amrouche has laid more emphasis on a solid backline. It is no coincidence that Kenya has not conceded more than two goals in a single match.

The team has become more disciplined at the back than was previously the case.

As far as the failed bid for  the 2014 World Cup qualification is concerned, Harambee Stars may not have played ‘champagne’ football while on the brink of pulling a shock result away against African champions Nigeria, but the tactics worked right.

Nigeria, the African champions could only salvage a draw against Harambee Stars with a goal four minutes into injury time.

The tactic of sitting back and hitting teams on the counter have been criticized before, but it has worked in other cases.

Denmark won the European championship in 1992 playing this way, while Greece, who were considered as dark horses, won the European championship in 2004 with an eye-catching display of swift counterattacking football.

In most cases what stood out was defensive solidity from the backline and lethal attacks on the break.

Discerning observers will have noted the same about Adel Amrouche’s recent pattern for the national team matches.

The style could yet change as the coach seeks to find a permanent formulae for future matches. This ofcourse will vary depending on the strength of the opposition from time to time. In due course, Harambee Stars may develop an identity and a clear football philosophy.

Whether the Belgian tactician will have the time to instill a distinct style of play on the national team remains to be seen.

However, one of the signs that the future is positive for the Belgian is his reconciliation with top striker Denis Oliech after dropping him as captain recently.

Having Oliech and Victor Mugubi in the team will bring the sort of profesionalism that the Belgian will need as he takes the team forward.

As Harambee Stars prepare to face Namibia in a World Cup qualifying match, few are asking if the wheels have truly turned for the national team.

This is because even though the Stars’ are seeking victory, they will be playing for pride as well as to improve their Fifa ranking as their chances of qualifying for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil have all but diminished.

But in terms of future outlook, the broader point to consider is whether the national team is going forward rather than standing still.

Despite failing to qualify for Brazil, current evidence suggests that Adel Amrouche has a long-term plan for the team.

One remarkable fact is that since taking over as national team head coach, Adel Amrouche has made the national team’s defence to be more miserly.

While the team has not set the stadium alight with Brazilian or Spanish flair, one could argue that the Belgian tactician has succeeded in making the team ‘hard to beat’ through defensive solidity.

Indeed, while it is almost impossible to describe what Amrouche’s football philosophy is, you could say that the tactic so far has been to build a solid defensive foundation, then the midfield and the strike force could be sorted in that order.

It is clear that Amrouche has laid more emphasis on a solid backline. It is no coincidence that Kenya has not conceded more than two goals in a single match.

The team has become more disciplined at the back than was previously the case.

As far as the failed bid for  the 2014 World Cup qualification is concerned, Harambee Stars may not have played ‘champagne’ football while on the brink of pulling a shock result away against African champions Nigeria, but the tactics worked right.

Nigeria, the African champions could only salvage a draw against Harambee Stars with a goal four minutes into injury time.

The tactic of sitting back and hitting teams on the counter have been criticized before, but it has worked in other cases.

Denmark won the European championship in 1992 playing this way, while Greece, who were considered as dark horses, won the European championship in 2004 with an eye-catching display of swift counterattacking football.

In most cases what stood out was defensive solidity from the backline and lethal attacks on the break.

Discerning observers will have noted the same about Adel Amrouche’s recent pattern for the national team matches.

The style could yet change as the coach seeks to find a permanent formulae for future matches. This ofcourse will vary depending on the strength of the opposition from time to time. In due course, Harambee Stars may develop an identity and a clear football philosophy.

Whether the Belgian tactician will have the time to instill a distinct style of play on the national team remains to be seen.

However, one of the signs that the future is positive for the Belgian is his reconciliation with top striker Denis Oliech after dropping him as captain recently.

Having Oliech and Victor Mugubi in the team will bring the sort of profesionalism that the Belgian will need as he takes the team forward.