'Ghost' Mulee mulls fielding only foreign-based players

Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee being unveiled as Harambee Stars head coach by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa after signing a three-year deal at Safari Park Hotel on October 21, 2020. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has hinted at using foreign-based players in the upcoming two-legged Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers’ clash against Comoros.

Stars will take on the Group G leaders on November 11 at Kasarani Stadium before flying out four days later to Moroni for the return leg.

But with no ball having been kicked in the Kenyan Premier League since March, the 52-year-old coach, who is on his fifth stint in the national team’s dugout, thinks of fielding active players against the unpredictable Islanders.

Speaking after putting the 27 local players through their paces as they began their non-residential training session at Utalii Grounds on Wednesday, Mulee remained optimistic of having all the foreign-based players at his disposal.

“Of course, we know we have not had the season going on since March and have not played a competitive game apart from the friendly against Zambia,” said Mulee.

Harambee Stars defender Joash Onyango in a training session. [Stafford Ondego]

“We will try and players who are very active right now; most of the abroad-based players are in top shape. That’s the plan, but you never know what might happen. If we have all of them coming, it will be perfect for us, if we don’t, then we will try and have a combination.”

Meanwhile, Kenya U20 and U17 teams have been drawn in pool C and B in the upcoming Cecafa Championships.