2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers: Harambee Stars on the verge of making Nations Cup return

Deputy President William Ruto (centre) receive a ball from Harambee Stars team Captain Victor Wanyama (left) and team Coach Sebastian Migne during training at Kasarani Stadium ahead of AFCON group F return leg at Kasarani, Oct 12, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Migné’s men are 90 minutes away from re-writing history

Kasarani Stadium will be the centre of attraction from 4pm today when the national football team Harambee Stars collide with Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in a crunch Group F reverse match of the 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

With Sierra Leone suspended indefinitely, this is a crucial game for both teams after mid-week’s first leg barren draw in Bahir Dar.

The result saw Kenya (four points) leapfrog favourites Ghana at the top of the group and put them in pole position to end the 14-year hiatus from the continent’s biggest football tournament. Harambee Stars last played at the Afcon finals in 2004, in Tunisia.

But there is a lot at stake heading into the 90 high-stake minutes of potentially decisive African Cup qualifying action.

So significant is the match that the Sebastian Migné’s men can re-write history in front of their ever-demanding fans and shape the tone of football debate in the country for years to come.

Migne urges his players

A win against the Walya Antelopes today and the East Africans can start booking flights to Cameroon pending Fifa’s decision on Sierra Leone ban.

Harambee Stars' Dennis Odhiambo (left) and team mate during training at Kasarani Stadium ahead of AFCON group F return leg at Kasarani, Oct 12, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

However, should they lose or draw, Harambee Stars will throw themselves into broader range of qualification options ahead of next year’s away final group match against Ghana.

Though motivated with the team’s recent unbeaten run and clean-sheet, Migné urged his players to be more efficient upfront as they focus on executing his tactical plan.

“Of course it will be a difficult game, but I am encouraged with how we have been defending so far. We are solid defensively and we even have some clean-sheets. But the problem is I haven’t had enough time to prepare the team,” Migné said.

“It is easier to prepare your team defensively with less time than to develop a good link up play and create good spirit offensively.

“We tried to work on it, but I think we need more time to perfect it. But I hope to improve offensively and maybe with the help of the fans it will be easy.”

The Frenchman further confirmed the availability of fully fit squad at his disposal. “Everybody is ready to compete and participate in the match. With the way we have trained, I think Abud (Omar) will also be available for selection,” Migné said.

But his Ethiopian counterpart Abraham Mebratu is a man on a mission and could spoil the party for Kenyans.

“Kenya has got a good blend of players that are both experienced and tactically disciplined. But I’m happy with the way my boys performed in the first leg.

“We will try to rectify our finishing abilities and notch a positive result in Nairobi,” Mebratu said.