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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Wanyama: This is our time to rise

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Jun 08, 2017

**Kenya Harambee Stars Victor Wanyama against Mozambique's Black Mambas during their friendly match at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 12/11/16.Kenya won 1-0.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO**

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has declared that qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon is a do-or-die affair for the team.

The Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder said the team was determined to have a positive start against Sierra Leone on Saturday to get off their campaign on the right footing.

“It is a do-or-die affair for us. This time we must get there and we want to start on a positive note against Sierra Leone,” he said.

Wanyama replaced Dennis Oliech as captain in 2013, but has not led the team to qualify for any major tournament despite his success in England.

Stars last qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2004 when it was played in Tunisia.

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Despite missing out on the tournament for such a long time, Wanyama insists they are not under pressure going into this campaign.

“The spirit and morale is high in camp. Our chances of winning away look good and we have a good bunch of players. We are looking forward to start well and are not under pressure at all,” said Wanyama.

For coach Stanley Okumbi, the team has a great opportunity to start the campaign on a clean slate.

“Last year we had a disappointing campaign, but we must forget about that. First of all, we were new and had just taken over. Losing our first match just made things worse, but it is time to forget about the past and focus on the future.

“We respect our opponents when you consider that they almost qualified for the Nations Cup last time,” he said.

With Kenya on a ten-match unbeaten run, Okumbi insists it does not matter and will not count on Saturday.

Betting firm SportPesa has promised a Sh3million reward to the team should they beat Sierra Leone.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said they believe in the potential of the team to make it to Cameroon in 2019.