This is football, there is a first time for everything – insists Kenya coach
Kenya hoping to spring a surprise on Egypt
JOHANNESBURG, March 25 (ANA) – Buoyed by their surprise draw with powerhouses Egypt last year, Kenya will be hoping to go one better when the sides meet again in their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Nairobi on Thursday.
Kenya are third in Group G of the qualifiers with three points, and need to beat Egypt and Togo (in Lome, Togo, on March 29) to have any chance of punching their ticket to next year’s edition of Afcon in Cameroon.
Kenya coach Jacob Mulee said: “We know it is going to be a very tough match because Egypt is one of the best teams in the continent with good and talented individual players.
“We know that in history we have never beaten Egypt, but this is football. Who says there can never be a first time for something?”
Despite the odds stacked against them, Mulee says his charges will remain hopeful.
“We are still in contention for qualification and we will not relent until the final game. We are playing at home and we should give 100 percent to ensure that we get a good result.”
The tactician has omitted some big name players including regular skipper Victor Wanyama, Turkey-based midfielder Johannah Omollo, Sweden-based Eric Omondi and speedy winger Ayub Timbe who has recently moved to Japan.
“We selected players based on their current form and we looked at those who will be ready for such a big game. The door is still open for any player but we will only be going with players who are performing at the moment.”
In Wanyama’s absence, Mulee has settled on striker Michael Olunga to captain the team against Egypt. Olunga missed the last two qualifiers against Comoros due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in Japan. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman