EYES ON OKUMBI: Stars coach faces tough start away to Guinea Bissau in Afcon qualifier

Harambee Stars' Coach Stanley Okumbi during training for return leg in Guinea-Bissau at Utalii College on Saturday, March 19, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Stanley Okumbi starts his reign as Harambee Stars coach with today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Guinea Bissau.

Okumbi who formerly handled Premier League side Mathare United was a surprise appointment for the job and some have insinuated that his closeness to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman Nick Mwendwa rather than merit influenced his appointment.

His choice of the squad that travelled to Guinea Bissau also left a lot to be desired as Kariobangi Sharks duo of Partillah Omotto and Ovella Ochieng’ made the cut despite not having played a single match this season in the league.

Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch also travelled as second choice goalkeeper despite having warmed the bench in the opening five matches for the league champions.

The soft spoken coach is, therefore, under pressure to start well and silence his critics and victory today will but him more time.

Harambee Stars are third in group ‘E’ in the 2017 qualifiers after picking just one point in two matches and victory over Guinea Bissau in the two-legged affair may just revive their hopes of travelling to Gabon next year.

Kenya last played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 then under local Jacob Mulee. Can Okumbi do it? The coach has expressed confidence in his ability to handle the team even as he called for support from the ever demanding fans.

“I have been in football for a long time and handling Harambee Stars is no different from what I have done in the past. We have an experienced bench and with the support of our fans, there is no reason for us not to do well,” he said prior to the team’s departure.

Okumbi will be glad to have had a lot of time with the players after the Kenyan Premier League agreed to postpone league matches to allow Harambee Stars time to train.

It is a privilege few coaches have had and even though he just had less than half of the players he will use today, it still gave him a pretty good idea on who to use.

The good news is that number one goalkeeper Arnold Origi is back in the team and should start in goal ahead of Gor Mahia's Oluoch who surprisingly was the only goalkeeper picked for the trip as Okumbi dropped Lucas Indeche and Ian Otieno.

Okumbi’s team looks stable at the back with David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Brian Mandela and James Situma all set to start.

In the absence of Belgium based Ayub Timbe and Paul Were, Okumbi will struggle to juggle his midfield which has always been Kenya’s strong point.

Team captain Victor Wanyama who is expected to join the team today is expected to start and could play alongside David Kingatua, Omotto and Anthony Kimani.

For goals, Michael Olunga and Jesse Were are the men to provide. Stars are expected back home tomorrow ahead of Sunday’s return tie.