Bullish Harambee Stars coach Migne not feeling pressure ahead of Taifa Stars match

Harambee Stars Head Coach Sebastian Migne. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne insists he is not under pressure ahead of tomorrow’s crunch 2020 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers first leg clash against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam.

The encounter comes barely a month after Kenya twice came from behind to beat Taifa Stars 3-2 during the Afcon cum East African derby in Cairo.

Despite the victory, Kenya failed to qualify for the round of 16 as best losers after their 3-0 defeat to losing finalists, Senegal, coincided with Cameroon’s barren draw against Benin.

Save for a ticket to the next round of the local-based players’ tournament, the two rivals will be battling it out for the region’s bragging rights.

While Kenya will be seeking to complete a double over Taifa Stars, the hosts will be out to avenge the Cairo loss.

The winner on aggregate of the two-legged encounter will tackle Sudan in the final qualifying round.

But even with plenty at stake, the Frenchman has travelled to Dar es Salaam with a relatively new-look team.

Sofapaka midfielder Dennis Odhiambo, who has been named the captain of the youthful squad, and Wazito’s new signing Bernard Ochieng, are the only two players who featured for Stars in Egypt that have made the trip.

Want-away Sofapaka striker John Avire has gone AWOL, Gor Mahia right back Philemon Otieno is conspicuously missing in the travelling party, while Francis Kahata and Farouk Shikhalo have joined Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Yanga respectively.

The duo of Paul Were and David Cheche have ditched AFC Leopards, thus ruling them out of the qualifiers, while veteran striker Allan Wanga recently retired from international football.

However, the Frenchman has been boosted by the availability of experienced winger Clifton Miheso who has signed a one year deal with National Super League side Police from Portugal’s Clube Olimpico Montijo.

And when grilled by the media, a composed Migne confidently said he personally doesn’t feel any pressure as he aims to guide Kenya to her first ever Chan finals. But he urged his players to be ready for what he termed as a difficult challenge.

“Which pressure are you talking about? I think maybe Kenyan journalists are under pressure more than me. I’m just doing my job. I’m trying to work hard and give my best, after all what else can I do? I’m going to try to perform well with the players I have,” said Migne.

“There are a lot of people in Kenya, who are always ready to criticise but I accept that because criticism is part of my job. I knew this would be part of my job even before coming to Kenya, therefore I’m not under any pressure.

“I’m under contract. My passion is my job. I led Kenya back to Afcon after 15 years, so why should I be under pressure? You can decide to talk about pressure, but for me I’m being realistic,” he insisted.

However, Migne is still optimistic of completing a double over the noisy neighbouring Tanzanians.

“Yeah, it’s still a derby but the most important thing is for us to win against them. We know it will be difficult, but I’m confident and waiting for the good news from my players in Dar,” said Migne.

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