Kenyans start Afcon journey: Qualifiers Wanyama keen to lead team to Nations Cup

HARAMBEE STARS Harambee Stars captain Victor Mugubi Wanyama (L) outpaces Whyvonne Isuza during their morning training session at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on March 22, 2017. Kenyan national team trains ahead of their double-header international friendlies against Uganda and DRC Congo on March 22, and 26, 2017 respectively. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com

Sierra Leone provide stern test for Harambee Stars today in Freetown.

It is 13 years since Harambee Stars last played at the Africa Cup of Nations finals. That was in 2004 in Tunisia and since then it has been a tale of missed chances.

Another campaign starts today when the team takes on Sierra Leone in Freetown hoping to wipe away the tears of local fans who have always been left frustrated with each botched campaign.

For Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama, a lot is at stake for him in this campaign. First, the responsibility of leading the team to Cameroon in 2019 falls squarely on his shoulders.

Having taken over the team’s arm band in 2013, leading the team to a major tournament remains top on his to-do-list.

Stars expectations

Wanyama has had a very successful career at club level both in Celtic and now in Tottenham Hotspur and understands that the same must be shown at the national team.

Secondly, this could probably be the last campaign where Wanyama will be playing a big role.

Well aware of the expectation, Wanyama termed this campaign a do or die affair for Harambee Stars pointing out that a good start today will ensure just that.

“It has been long since we got there. This time it is a do-or-die affair and for this reason, we are looking to start well away to Sierra Leone,” he said just before the team jetted out on Thursday.

The match is also a big test for coach Stanley Okumbi. He took over in the middle of the last campaign and failed to qualify for this year’s finals.

The beginning of the 2019 campaign provides Okumbi with an opportunity to start on a clean sheet and he has urged fans to forget about past failures.

“Last year was disappointing for us as a team but there was a lot working against us. First of all, we were new in the team and losing against Guinea Bissau home and away distracted us. Now we have another opportunity to make up for that loss,” he pointed out.

Stars have not lost since those two losses to Guinea Bissau and are enjoying a ten-match unbeaten run going into this fixture which should give them some level of confidence.

But the team’s away form still remains a major worry. The last time Stars won away in the Africa Cup of Nations campaign was in 2003 when they beat Cape Verde 1-0. They went on to qualify for the 2004 Nations Cup.

China-based Michael Olunga will lead the team’s search for goals.

In the absence of Jesse Were, Kariobangi Sharks forward Masoud Juma will partner Olunga.