Plotting Ethiopia’s downfall: kenya hopes to break 11-year drought as the challenge cup kicks off

Dead-ball specialist Francis Kahata to skipper Harambee Stars against Ethiopia
Starting XI: Duncan Ochieng (GK), David Owino, Jockins Atudo, Musa Mohamed, Aboud Omar, Anthony Akumu, Peter Opiyo, Francis Kahata (c), David Gateri, Edwin Lavatsa, Allan Wanga
Subs: Jerim Onyango, James Situma, Mulinge Ndetto, David King’atua, Clifton Miheso, Paul Kiongera and Jacob Keli.

Will Kenya break their 11-year wait to clinch the 2013 Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi?

That is the big question as the tournament kicks off today with Kenya hosting Ethiopia in the second match at Nyayo National Stadium.

After winning the tournament in 2002 when it was played in Tanzania, Kenya has come close twice, reaching the finals in 2008 and 2012 when the tournament was held in Uganda but this is as close as the country has come to lifting the crown.

As Harambee Stars begin their quest to end that losing streak, they might want to remember the poor performance in 2009 when, as hosts, they could only manage a quarter-final place where they lost to even tual winners Uganda Cranes.

This is why it is important for them to beat Ethiopia this afternoon and ease the pressure on themselves ahead of more demanding fixtures and, more importantly, set the tone for what may turn out to be either a flop or a successful tournament.

The man who will be under the most pressure to deliver is coach Adel Amrouche. The Algerian-born tactician has the first chance to show home fans  what he is capable of after a disastrous World Cup campaign in which Stars won only one match after stopping Namibia 1-0 at home.

This is his first tournament in charge and he cannot afford to miss a final place appearance assisted by AFC Leopards coach James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo.

The pressure has been on for Amrouche from every quarter and none other than Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario has challenged Amrouche to win the competition for Kenya.

“It is a long time since Harambee Stars won anything and we want them to change that state of affairs when they host the competition. The fans have waited too long to have something to celebrate about,” Wario said last week.

But Amrouche is unfazed by the expectation and insists winning is not everything.

“We understand the expectations of the fans and considering that we are hosts. In this regard we will give it our best shot. However, the focus should not be on winning the regional tournament but rather we need to look ahead at building a team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” he said.

Unlike other teams, Amrouche has had little time to prepare his team and only had a few days to build up a strong side.

“The conclusion of the KPL and the GOtv shield has messed up my plans a bit because it has eaten into our time for preparations. A good number of my players are also injured after a grueling season but the good thing is that we have talented young players to pick from,” he said.