The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

'WHY WE CAN BEAT CAPE VERDE': Origi ready for Afcon qualifier, but calls for proper preparation

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Oct 28, 2015

Harambee stars captain Victor Wanyama and keeper Arnold Origi leaves the pitch after loosing their Africa Cup of Nation Qualifier match against Zambia at Nyayo stadium on Sep.6 2015.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Norway-based Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi has said good preparation will be key in helping the team beat Cape Verde in their 2018 World Cup pre-qualifier next month.

Origi has been invited for the November 13 match after missing the match against Mauritius last month.
He said Cape Verde, who occupy the 41st slot in the Fifa ranking, should not be a cause for worry.

“We have a good chance to get something from this match as long as our preparations are top-notch. If we can assemble a good team and prepare well, then we should be able to beat them.

“They are no longer big bigwigs in African football and for every match preparations are key,” he said.

Origi also confirmed he will be available for the match though he said there has been no official communication from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regarding his ticket reimbursement.

Keep Reading

“My club has received the invitation letter to release me but I am still waiting for word from FKF over the ticket reimbursement,” he said.

Origi is reported to have kept off the match against Mauritius as he was protesting lack of reimbursement after paying for his ticket to come for the September 6, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia.

Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson has called up 31 players for the match against Cape Verde and the December Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Apart from Origi, Christian Bwamy who is also based in Norway has also made a return to the team.He last played for Stars in 2014.

Williamson has also handed a call-up to Nzoia United’s hit-man Mark Barasa, Calvince Omanga of Palos as well as Zoo Kericho’s Maritim Kipkirui. The coach yesterday said he wants to have a look at the players and see their potential.

“They are young impressive Kenyan players who deserve a chance to show us what they can do for the country,” he said.

The three players have been impressive for their clubs in the past few matches with a performance that has now caught the eyes of the national team selectors.

Williamson also confirmed that Gor Mahia’s Innocent Wafula, whose nationality has been a subject of discussion, is not in the team after failing to produce documentation to prove his nationality.

“There is still a problem with his documents and so he is not in the team,” he said.

Wafula told Feverpitch three weeks ago that he was a Kenyan after reports emerged saying he was Ugandan.

“I was born in Busia near the border with Uganda and therefore I am a Kenyan. I am ready to even play for Harambee Stars if called upon,” he said then.