NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – Former Harambee Stars assistant coach Yusuf Chipo will coach the national Copa Coca Cola Dream team for next month’s Africa Copa Coca Cola tournament in South Africa.
Chipo who also coached Kenya Premier League (KPL) side Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) said that he was honoured to be given the job and that and was looking forward to working with the players to further develop their key strengths.
“I have followed all the players from the beginning of the tournament, and I have some fair knowledge on their capabilities,” said Chipo who helped mastermind Star’s path to the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup second round qualifiers.
“I have a lot of confidence that we shall be able to draw up a good team that will put on a good show in South Africa and bring home the trophy,” he added.
Fourteen players have been selected to represent Kenya in the competition from trials held after the Copa Coca Cola finals held earlier this month at the Coca Cola Stadium.
The squad will head into camp at the end of this month where Chipo will oversee a two day intensive training programme before they depart on Madaraka day.
“In the near future we hope this team will become the foundation for the team that will take part in the CECAFA (Council of East and Central Football Associations) under 17 tournament in November,” said Gerald Chege who was one of the tournament’s scouts.
Football Kenya Limited (FKL) secretary geral Sammy Obingo praised the organization of Coca Coca Cola saying that it was an avenue for nurturing future talent for Harambee Stars.
“The way the event was carried out countrywide is truly commendable and I want to thank Coca Cola and KPL officials for the good work they put in,” said Obingo.
While in South Africa, the team will undergo more training at a five day international training camp after which they will participate in the tournament that runs from June 6 to June 14.
