NAIROBI, Kenya, November 7- New Harambee Stars head coach, Francis Kimanzi, predicted a tough match for the side as the countdown to Saturday’s away 2014 World Cup pre-qualifier against Seychelles begun.
Kimanzi, who was re-appointed to the helm after he was fired in February 2009 reported for his first training session with the team that featured ten players on Monday.
“It will be difficult playing them since I’ve never watched their video so I don’t know how they play but we are going to use that advantage to hit back on counters,” he said.
The coach who is also in charge of domestic top flight club, Sofapaka appraised the surprise call-up to his team, youngster Clifton Miheso of Thika United.
“He is a good player I have watched him play, personally I have never trained with him and now that am here I will make him turn out to be the best because he has the potential and he wants to learn,” Kimanzi said of the utility player.
South Africa based Dennis Odhiambo was the only overseas based player in camp with the rest that include the team’s captain, Dennis Oliech expected in on Tuesday.
Stars will hold a closed door training session on Wednesday before their departure for Seychelles.
The two sides will face each other in the return leg in Nairobi on Tuesday week with the aggregate winner joining the 2014 World Cup Africa qualifying group that has Nigeria, Malawi as well as either Djibouti or Namibia who will face-off in another pre-qualifier.
Yusuf Chippo, who was re-appointed to the assistant head coach and new goalkeeping trainer, Haggai Azambe were also present. Francis Baraza, the other assistant coach named by Football Kenya Association had not arrived to take up his position.
– By Gloria Kendi