How coach Paul has Put Harambee Stars back on track

Kenya Coach Paul Put and Stanley Okumbi during CECAFA senior challenge cup 2017 against Libya at Kenyatta Stadium,Machakos on Tuesday 05/11/17[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Though he didn’t make the selection, Paul Put’s presence on the technical bench has played a big role in Harambee Stars’ revival if the recent regional tourney’s performance is something to go by.

It is the same team that was being handled by Stanley Okumbi but the difference is, the squad is now confident with no fear of making a mistake.

Put has shown faith in his youthful side with the gamble paying off as he has managed to go five matches unbeaten, securing three wins and two draws with the duo of Wyvonne Isuza and Vincent Oburu scoring two very important goals.

In addition, he seems to have found the right formation, changing from the ineffective 4-3-3 previously used by Okumbi to a new 4-2-3-1 system and fielding without favouring any player with Isuza being one of the players who has flourished in his number 10 role.

The Belgian has also been quick to identify his starting line-up, something that Okumbi failed to do.

Stars’ sudden resurgence has left Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa purring with the expectations that the team will replicate this performance in next year’s African Nations Cup qualifiers.

“Put has the experience. That freshness and the deeper approach into methods, things we were not doing before, based from the experience he brought on board is helpful,” Mwendwa told the Standard Sports.

“But you can see it is the same team we had, meaning that we were doing the right thing and bringing him on board gives us some further edge to our competitiveness. We hope to continue doing so in the coming years.

“So far, this performance is a shining light to show what we can do with the men’s team, more abilities we have and what we lack. What approach works best for combination between foreign-based and local players. I think this is the foundation that we leave with Cecafa irrespective of the finals result.”

Though Mwendwa reiterated their desire to reclaim the title they lost to Uganda Cranes in 2015, he lauded Put’s instant impact in the team.

“It is a good thing for him, 450 minutes without conceding a goal and five matches without losing shows that we made the right choice,” he said.

“Though the result doesn’t matter now, going into the final was our main target. We now want to win the title, but you know football is played on the pitch. We will continue motivating the team to ensure the trophy remains here.

“However, this is a big stage and a final is not a normal football game, it’s an adrenaline-filled event and getting there was a key thing. Let’s wait and see what happens tomorrow (Sunday), but as far as I am concerned, that’s a solid progress that can only help us going into Afcon qualifications.”

But former Kenyan international Bonface Ambani differed with Mwendwa, challenging the federation to give Put a free hand in his selection and let him come up with the technical bench he wishes in order to accomplish the job.

Ambani further insisted that Put doesn’t deserve any credit because he didn’t participate in the selection process.

“It is a good start, the team is in the final. But unfortunately I cannot give Put much credit because this is not his team, he was just given by the federation,” Ambani said.

“I would like to see his own outfit, maybe it is from this tournament that he will start building his own team. Let’s wait until the next season when the league kicks off to see the type of team he will come up with.

“All the same, he needs to be given a free hand to select his own players and allowed to come here with his own technical bench, that’s what top coaches do. I will judge him from his own selection of players. But since we are at home, the players should try make his work easier by winning the trophy.”

A section of players say Put has a personality, the ability to command respect and has a knack for keeping the players happy and motivate them to perform better.

For Vincent Oburu and Patillah Omoto, the Belgian has changed many things and instilled confidence in the team.

“The new coach has made us believe in ourselves and his tactics seem also to be working with everyone in the team,” observed Oburu.

“Many people had written us off, but the coach instilled a winning mentality in the team and also gave some of us a chance to play,” Omoto added.

Isuza was unable to put a finger on exactly what the coach has done, but captain Musa Mohammed said Put trusts his players and has the ability to read the game.