Taifa Stars coach says Harambee Stars will be under pressure at home

Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne instructs his charges during an evening training session at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on July 25, 2019.Photo/www/sportpicha.com

Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne believes their 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Tanzania remains on a knife-edge after Sunday’s goalless first leg encounter in Dar es Salaam.

The scoreless draw at the National Stadium left both team’s qualification to the final qualifying round for the local-based players’ tournament wide open.

The winner on aggregate will book a date with Sudan on a yet to be confirmed date. The continental finals will be held in Cameroon early next year.

Though the Frenchman appeared to be satisfied with the stalemate, he knows his ‘under pressure’ youthful side will have to dig deeper to silence their noisy neighbours this Sunday at Kasarani.

“The draw was a good result for both teams. It’s an opportunity for my youth team to learn again as they have a great possibility to qualify to the next round. But I’ve told them to remain humble and it is up to them to repeat the same performance at home. I don’t know if they will be able to do that, but I believe we will have an answer in a week’s time,” said Migne during the post-match press conference.

“Of course, it will not be easy in Nairobi because we will be playing under pressure looking for the qualification. We will attack throughout the match but with good compromise not to concede a counter-attack.

“But I’ve to remain positive. We have a small advantage after the draw but as you know we have a young squad and I don’t know which behaviour we can have under pressure. I hope with a full stadium and fans behind the team, we can beat them. It will be interesting for me as a coach to have an answer on Sunday.”

Migne further said the two-legged tie presents a perfect opportunity for the players to prove their worth and be considered for future assignments.

“There is a huge gap between these players and the AFCON squad. But I need to prepare a team for the future; maybe some of them will be integrated into the team for the next Fifa window in September. This level might open them the door to come in or go out of the national team,” he said.

And just like Migne, Taifa Stars interim coach Etienne Ndayiragije feels there is still a lot to play for in Nairobi.

“I’m happy we kept a clean sheet at home. It’s somehow a positive result for us because we will not be under a lot of pressure in the return leg in Nairobi,” said the Burundi-born coach.

“We created many scoring chances, the boys showed great attitude and willingness to deliver but unfortunately we couldn’t finish off our chances,” Ndayiragije said.