NAIROBI, Kenya, March 25 – Harambee Stars players stand to earn a bonus of Sh20,000 each if they beat Tunisia in Saturday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga who visited the team’s camp at Moi International Sports Stadium, Kasarani said that the incentive is meant to inspire the players to perform well against the Carthaginian Eagles.
“In order to motivate the team, we have offered a bonus to each player in the event that they beat Tunisia,” said the Prime Minister who also delivered the team’s allowances.
The technical bench also stand to earn Sh30,000 each should they mastermind a win against the Tunisians.
Players allowances have also been increased after appeals from team captain and veteran Stars defender Musa Otieno who linked up with the squad this week.
“The players through their captain have said that they have been earning only Sh1500 for a number of years now and is not adequate,” said the Prime Minister.
“We (government) have listened to that and have doubled the allowance to Sh3000 per player,” he added.
“We expect Harambee Stars to make history and be the first team from East Africa to be among the 32 teams in the World cup competition next year,” said the Premier.
The Prime Minister who was accompanied by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Professor Helen Sambili, Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch and Football Kenya Limited (FKL) executives had lunch with the players before holding a closed door meeting with the entire squad.
Otieno took the opportunity to urge Kenyans to get behind the team at this crucial stage of qualifying.
“We are at war. I want to call upon every Kenyan to stand behind us because I’m sure with their help we can qualify for the 2010 World Cup,” said Otieno who plays for Santos in South Africa.
Stars coach Antoine Hey will name his starting eleven on Friday with Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech and Petro Atletico ace Allan Wanga expected to start upfront with Otieno expected to make his return to the Stars fold in central defence.
Tunisian are expected in the country on Thursday and then hold their training session at the Coca Cola stadium on Friday.
