Jesse Jackson Were when training in Kampala before Kenya faced Uganda in a friendly match on 30th August, 2016. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2- In 13 appearances for the national team Harambee Stars, Zesco United forward Jesse Jackson Were is yet to get his name on the score-sheet, despite doing so at will at club level.
On Sunday afternoon, the former Mathare United and Tusker FC forward will don the national colors at a ground where he has scored most of his 15 goals this season, the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, when Kenya plays Zambia in an African nations Cup qualifier.
Were, speaking to Capital Sport hopes he can ride on some good luck from the stadium as he lines up against his club coach Goerge Lwandamina as well as team-mates.
“It will be a very interesting match and I know it is not going to be easy. Most of the players are my team mates and biggest of all, I will also be playing against my coach. That will give me some level of confidence because we are used to each other and I would also want to beat them,” Were said.
“I have had good matches at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium and I’m hoping playing here with the national team will be special and I will finally break my goal duck.”
The striker started upfront in last Tuesday’s friendly match against Uganda Cranes but wasn’t able to get his name on the score-sheet despite showing a lot of his improvement, working hard all the way from midfield in winning and distributing balls.
Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony Akumu (left) with Jesse Were (right) when Kenya faced Uganda in international friendly.
The striker believes the Zambia match on Sunday will have huge importance despite not carrying any qualification weight.
“We are fighting for pride and rise in FIFA rankings and we should be able to do our best,” Were opines.
His sentiments were shared by club-mate Anthony Akumu who also plies his trade with Zesco.
“It’s a very important match and we would like to return to the club as winners. It will be interesting playing against my club-mates but when we go there, friendship aside. It’s all about business,” the midfielder added.
The Zambians had the final laugh in the first-leg played in Nairobi winning 2-1 with Winstone Kalengo, then with Zesco but now with AC Leopards in Congo scoring the winner.
Head coach Stanley Okumbi has reiterated the team will be giving their best in the match, noting the importance of the three points to aid the country rise higher in the FIFA rankings.
