Coach Of Kenya's Harambee Stars Promises Trouble For Nigeria

Kenya's head coach, Antoine Hey, who failed to travel with the national team to Nigeria, has promised the Super Eagles a tough battle on Sunday when the two sides meet for the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Speaking after presenting his travelling 20-man squad to Nigeria yesterday, Hey was quoted in the Daily Nation as saying that his charges, known as the Harambee Stars, have been motivated by reports that Super Eagles players will be given hefty bonuses if they hammer the Kenyans by more than three goals.

“What has affected the morale of this team is that there are some companies and the government offering special bonuses if they (Nigeria) beat us with more than three goals.

“This is a lack of respect for any team whether it is Kenya or another team going to play there. And they will learn their lesson,” Hey said. Hey further told the media at the team’s training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, that their target is to scoop four points in their two matches this month.

“We want to have at least four points from playing Nigeria and Mozambique to stay in the competition for the World Cup. Anything other than four points, then we will only be playing for the Africa Cup of Nations,” Hey said.

“This is our chance to rewrite history by coming back from Nigeria with a respectable performance,” he added.

Hey picked three goalkeepers - Arnold Origi, Willis Ochieng and David Okello. The defence will be selected from the likes of Musa Otieno, Pascal Ochieng, George Owino, John Njoroge, and Joseph Shikokoti.

The midfield will pose a selection headache with Macdonald Mariga, John Muiruri, Peter Opiyo, Robert Mambo and Austin Makacha fighting for positions. Dennis Oliech will be the lead striker, possibly to be partnered by Patrick Oboya or Allan Wanga.

The players who were dropped yesterday include Bernard Mwalala, Mike Baraza, and Boniface Ambani of Yanga FC, plus Ibrahim Shikanda and Chrispin Odula of Azzam FC. Ambani was top scorer in the Tanzanian top league in the season just ended with 24 goals.