RoB bags Standard golf classic title

Rob clinches the Standard classics Overall title in Nanyuki. Standard Group Limited Head of Human Resource - Nicholas Siwatom (left) presents the Overall prize to i Charles Rob (right) who won on 41 ( 19+22) stableford points during the tournament played at the Nanyuki sport club, Laikipia, September 4, 2016. PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

After another failed campaign to the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama says the team will focus on the positives from the qualifiers.

Harambee Stars held Zambia to a 1-1 tie in their last group qualifier played on Sunday at the Levi Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

The result means that Stars are bottom of the group after picking just five points.

Wanyama said on his Twitter handle: “Great away match, thank you fans for all the support during the campaign, we will take positives to our next assignment.”

The Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder was appointed captain of Harambee Stars two years ago by former coach Adel Amrouche, but is yet to help the team qualify for a major tournament.

He took over from former captain Dennis Oliech who has since retired from international football.

But Wanyama still has one chance of helping the team qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when the qualifiers start next year in June. In a related development, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Robert Muthomi said more friendly matches are being planned for Harambee Stars between now and June next year.

Muthomi said the friendly matches will help coach Stanley Okumbi to keep his players sharp and strong as well as help the team rise in the Fifa rankings.

“The truth is that we have seen a lot of improvement in the team and despite being locked out of the 2017 finals, our intention is to organise as many friendly matches as possible for the side.

“We intend to take advantage of the up-coming Fifa window to help the coach have a team that is sharp and strong as well as rise up in the Fifa rankings.

“We know that if we have a good ranking then we are likely to be seeded when the draws for international tournaments come out. This way we improve our chances of success,” he said.

Muthomi further said focus will also be put on identifying a team that will represent the country in the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament that will be hosted in Kenya.