Harambee Stars tackle Taifa Stars

By Gilbert Wandera

Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga has linked up with the national team Harambee Stars for today’s international friendly against Taifa Stars in Dar-es-Salaam.

Mariga jetted into the Tanzanian capital on Monday night to complete the list of foreign-based players called up for the match.

The player was a centre of attraction for thousands of fans, who turned up to watch Harambee Stars training at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam yesterday according to team manager Edward Oduor.

"We are currently training and there are so many fans here and the security officials have decided to take control.

They are very eager to see Mariga and the other Europe-based players.

"It is really surprising for us and we expect that many of them will turn for today’s match," he said.

Mariga has been a centre of attraction since joining the Italian champions in February. His popularity in Kenya and the region hit an all time high when Milan won the Uefa champions league in July. His move to Milan made him the first player from the region to join the Italian and European champions and also to win the Champions League.

Midfield options

Today’s match will be the first time for Mariga to be playing for the national team since he joined Milan.

His presence gives coach Twahir Muhiddin plenty of options in midfield, which has been Kenya’s strongest point for a long time now. Apart from Mariga, Muhiddin also has Patrick Osiako, Kevin Omondi, George Odhiambo and Paul Were to pick from.

In attack, there is the lethal AJ Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech, who has been Kenya’s top scorer in recent times.

He has also enough options who to pick in goal as both Wilson Oburu and Lawrence Webo are fit to start.

This friendly gives Muhiddin an opportunity to pick his team for the more serious Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which kick off next month.

No Kenyan coach has in recent times had all his best players prior to the qualifiers even if it is just for a short time and it is something Muhiddin should take advantage of by identifying those, who will do duty for the country in the qualifiers.

Positive Start

Being at home, Taifa Stars will be keen to win today’ s match and new coach, Jan Poulsen, wants a positive start.

Poulsen indicated the seriousness, with which he is approaching today’s fixture by recalling veterans Juma Kaseja and Athumani Iddi.

The two lost their places in the team following differences with the former coach.

Iddi, who turns out for Young Africans, helped Taifa Stars qualify for the CHAN finals last year.

Apart from recalling the two, the Danish maintained most of the players who were regular in the previous squad. Like Harambee Stars, Tanzania are also using the friendly to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.