NAIROBI, Kenya, November 29- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) were forced on Friday to deny rumours of a split with the country’s Belgian national head coach Adel Amrouche ahead of their must-win encounter against Zanzibar in the ongoing Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
Amrouche was not present in the dugout during their opening Group A encounter against Ethiopia that ended in a barren stalemate with local media awash with claims the Belgian and FKF were headed for divorce over pay.
He is however, expected to be back to lead the side against pace setters Zanzibar on Saturday.
“FKF wishes to express its disappointment with reports appearing in the press to the effect that there are frosty relations between us and the national team head coach Adel Amrouche.
“FKF wishes to inform all that there is no bad blood between the Federation and Amrouche as being portrayed by a section of the media,” a statement from the federation said.
While insisting that the Belgian was still in charge, the governing body added: “As a federation we are committed to ensuring that the coach has the best working environment any coach would want.
“We have always ensured the coach is paid his dues in time and accorded all his needs.”
According to them, Amrouche missed the opener after his doctor advised him to stay put after he was taken ill on the eve of the Wednesday game against Ethiopia.
Kenya need a win over surprise group leaders Zanzibar who opened their campaign by stunning Southern Sudan 2-1 to maintain their interest in the regional competition they are hosting for the first time since 2009.
Media outlets in the country cited mounting unpaid dues from the often cash-strapped federation as the reason behind
Amrouche’s no show against Ethiopia with his assistant, James Nandwa, taking over.
“FKF as any other organisation sometimes faces financial constrains and wish to inform you that the coach has never personally raised any issue over his outstanding dues,” the statement went on saying that any misunderstanding “has been amicably addressed”.
Amrouche, the former Burundi national team coach, took over in February after his predecessor; Frenchman Henri Michel quit the side and took FKF to court over three months’ unpaid arrears.
