Stars begin preparations for 2017 Afcon qualifier against Zambia

What you need to know:

  • Stars are in group E alongside Congo, Guinea Bissau and the Chipololopolo. All the teams in the group have one point but the Bobby Williamson-coached Stars top the pool courtesy of an away goal after holding Congo 1-1 draw in June in their first match.
  • Football Kenya Federation’s media liaison officer John Kariuki, yesterday told Daily Nation Sport that home-based players were expected to report to camp yesterday ahead of today’s work out, while the foreign-based stars should arrive from tomorrow.

The national football team Harambee Stars will on Tuesday begin preparations for this weekend’s 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.

The two sides will clash on Sunday from 4pm at the Nyayo National Stadium. Stars are behind schedule with their preparations. They have not had any training with just five days to go and this could affect their rhythm, cohesion and game plan.

Stars are in group E alongside Congo, Guinea Bissau and the Chipololopolo. All the teams in the group have one point but the Bobby Williamson-coached Stars top the pool courtesy of an away goal after holding Congo 1-1 draw in June in their first match.

Football Kenya Federation’s media liaison officer John Kariuki, yesterday told Daily Nation Sport that home-based players were expected to report to camp yesterday ahead of today’s work out, while the foreign-based stars should arrive from tomorrow.

“They should start reporting today (yesterday). Tomorrow (today) we should be ready to go. We expect the foreign based players to start arriving by Wednesday. We are busy doing the ticketing,” he said.

Unsettled Stars skipper Victor Wanyama, who is pushing for a move to Tottenham, according to reports in the English press, Jacob Keli (Nkana FC, Zambia), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), and Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa) are expected to lead the foreign based players while Dennis Oliech and McDonald Mariga, both surprise inclusions in the 30-man provisional   quad, are also expected.

The duo will be fighting to impress coach Williamson who handed them a lifeline to the national team after long spells on the cold.

Stars have missed the continental showpiece and after an impressive outing in Congo, the team should aim at keeping the fire burning. A win at home over the Chipolopolo will put them in strong position in the pool.

Meanwhile, the Zambians who have already had three weeks of training will be without key man Jacob Mulenga when the two sides clash here.

According to Zambian daily The Post,  Mulenga, who plays for Chinese side Shijiazhuang Yongchanj, asked team manager Lusekelo Kamwambi not to consider him for the Kenya match as “he was not in the right frame of mind” to join Chipolopolo.

Coach George Lwandamina said: “We will respect the decision. He is a good player but if one is not ready to come and play because of reasons best known to himself (we can’t force him).”