IT'S NOT ABOUT RECORDS but building a strong team, says Okumbi ahead Uganda and DR Congo clashes

HARAMBEE STARS VS MOZAMBIQUE BLACK MAMBAS Kenya Harambee Stars Coach Stanley Okumbi against Mozambique's Black Mambas during their friendly match at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 12/11/16.Kenya won 1-0.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Harambee Stars take on Uganda tomorrow and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in international friendlies with coach Stanley Okumbi keen to build a strong side for the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June.

Unbeaten in eight matches, including a high profile 1-0 win over the DR Congo in Kinshasa on October 4 last year, Okumbi goes into the back-to-back fixtures in Machakos confident the re-building process is gathering full steam.

“I am not overly concerned with the unbeaten streak, but the aim is to put together a team that can compete effectively come the AFCON qualifiers in June,” Okumbi told FeverPitch ahead the fixtures.

He added: “Win or lose the unbeaten run, we have to look at the bigger picture. See how the boys react to different situations and how they utilise chances that come their way with an eye to the qualifiers.”

Kenya start their 2019 AFCON qualifying campaign away to Sierra Leone on June 13 in Group F that also has Ghana and Ethiopia.

How far Okumbi has gone into moulding a Harambee Stars good enough to dazzle Black Stars, Walya Antelopes and Leone Stars will be revealed when they take on Uganda Cranes and the Leopards, both of who were 2017 AFCON finalists.

While Okumbi will have Tottenham Hotspur midfield general Victor Wanyama leading Harambee Stars’ assault on the friendlies, he is bereft of pacy winger Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), budding left back Eric Ouma (FC Kolkheti, Georgia) and Eric Johanna who have asked to be excluded as they settle down abroad.

Paul Were (Archanaikos, Greece) has been drafted in the squad having initially been left out.

“Obviously we will miss them, but it is also a chance for others to show what they are capable of. We shall give everyone a chance. We have called up a sizeable number of local based players so we can have a closer look at them,” Okumbi said of the absence of the trio.

Of the local call ups, Harambee Stars fans will have difficulty identifying Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi Stars), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards), Sammy Meja (Thika United), Simon Mbugua (Posta Rangers).

The other new faces are 2016 KPL MVP Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia), Jeremiah Wanjala (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Joseph Kuria (Posta Rangers).