Belgian Adel Amrouche has been linked with a return to Harambee Stars after Nick Mwendwa was elected FKF President.PHOTO/FILE
NAIROBI, February 16 – Former Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche has termed his six-match ban lift as a new beginning in his African football career.
This follows after the Belgian successfully appealed against the ban imposed on him by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for allegedly spitting on a match official in 2014 when Kenya faced Comoros in AFCON qualifier away in Moroni.
Amrouche was initially handed a one-year suspension by CAF but it was later reduced to six matches and fined Sh1m ($10,000).
Speaking to Capital Sport, Amrouche who is an instructor at Belgium Football Association said he was judged wrongly on the incidence that cost him his job, just after guiding Kenya to her first Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup for the first time in 11 years.
“I got a letter from CAF wishing me all the best after lifting my ban. I’m happy to be free and get to do the job that I like. I believe it’s through the power of God that justice has been done. In Comoros, people wanted to kill Kenya and me because they saw we were coming up.
“People had a bad perception about me. Others said I have a temper but that’s not the case, I was always fighting for my team. I only lost when I was on the stands but I have forgiven them” Amorouche told.
Despite his ban, Amrouche was still involved in football where he is a pundit in Qatar and France televisions.
“I have a project in China where I oversee one club. I have been travelling in Europe exchanging ideas with other coaches to enrich my knowledge of football.”
The UEFA Pro Licence holder has been linked with a return to Harambee Stars after Nick Mwendwa was elected Football Kenya Federation President but Amrouche disclosed he has not been contacted.
“Football is my job and having lived in Africa for over 40 years, I know the game well in the region. Kenya has a big place in my heart and I have no issue with anyone. It’s only God who knows where I will be next.
“My contract with Kenya is not yet over so if I get a job there, I will build something new but if not I will still be in football. I have received many offers from many countries because they know what I can offer,” the 47-year-old explained.
“I brought attractive football to Kenya and I’m happy to see some of the players i gave opportunity like David Owino, Clifton Miheso, Anthony Akumu, Jacob Keli and others succeed,” the Algerian-born Belgian added.
Amrouche began his managerial career in 1988 by coaching the youth ranks of local club OMR El Annasser while playing for the senior team before holding the same role during his playing stints with USM Alger and RC Kouba.
In 2002, he was appointed as the manager of Congolese club Motema Pembe before having a five year stint with Burundi national team from 2007 to 2012.
