KPL coaches divided on Migne's Harambee Stars selection

Harambee Stars Coach Sebastian Migne and Striker Jesse Were (left) during a past training at Kasarani Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan Premier League coaches have weighed in on the team selection for Harambee Stars ahead of Africa Cup of Nations finals that run in Egypt on June 21-July 19.

The coaches were categorical that head coach Sebastian Migne has the final say on who to pick into the squad even as uproar greeted the dropping of Kakamega Homeboyz striker Allan Wanga.

Tusker coach Robert Matano said he would have preferred Wanga to Sofapaka’s John Avire owing to experience.

“What matters when taking part in such a tournament is the kind of preparations one has had. However, at this level, experience matters a lot and you need a player who has seen it all and done that and Wanga fits the bill.

“The inexperienced players need to play under someone who can protect them and guide them to bring out the best in them. You also need players who can absorb pressure when the match gets tight.

“All in all, the final decision on who to pick rested with Migne and he has his reason on why he dropped Wanga. We can only respect him for that,” he said.

Sofapaka coach John Barasa while supporting Migne’s decision on the final squad insisted that no sound mind coach can pick a team to lose.

“There is no way a coach can drop a player whom he feels can help him. Every coach picks his squad wanting a good result. He looks at everything and tries to balance every aspect of the team.

“The fans also have a right to have a preference but in this case only the coach has the final say,” said Barasa.

Barasa was among the players who featured in the last Africa Cup of  Nations in 2004 when he played for Kenya in Tunisia. He believes the current team is better prepared and can do well.

“Football has changed a lot and so it does not matter who Harambee Star’s opponents are. Unlike our time, this team has been treated very well. I remember we had ticket problems just before flying out to Tunisia in 2004 and could not even get the right gear to travel in.  They have been taken care in every way and go into the tournament motivated.”

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti called on the public to support Migne’s decision. “He has made his decision and we cannot do anything about it no matter how we feel. If you had a player you wanted selected in the team but they missed out, you must move on and now support the team.”