Harambee Stars coach concerned by absence of key players ahead of CHAN assignment
By K24 Editorial, July 26, 2019James Magayi @PeopleSports11
Harambee Stars coach Sébastien Migne has decried the exodus of top players from the SportPesa Premier League ahead of this weekend’s derby against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
Migne faces a wounded Tanzania national team in the first leg of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) on Sunday but has lost the likes of Francis Kahata and Farouk Shikhalo to Simba and Yanga respectively.
The two are consequently been barred from playing in the tournament, reserved for players in local leagues, while Sofapaka forward John Avire and fleet-footed winger Paul Were have gone missing, leaving Migne with a selection dilemma.
“We are going to field players with very little international experience as a result of this transfer window. I had a number of players in my plans but they have since left. That will have a direct impact on how we play this fixture,” the Frenchman said.
“On the other hand, it gives a chance to young players to show what they can do and so the likes of young Masika can have international exposure,” he added.
Migne will only have three players who kicked a ball in Egypt lining up against Tanzania. Philemon Otieno, Dennis Odhiambo and Bernard Ochieng played a part in the Africa Cup of Nations and are available for the CHAN tournament.
On the other hand, Tanzania will deploy eight players who were in Egypt against Kenya.
Taifa Stars were yesterday boosted by the arrival of seven Simba players from their camp in South Africa. John Bocco, Erasto Nyoni, Gadiel Michael, Aishi Manula, Hassan Dilunga, Jonas Mkude and Ibrahim Ajibu all joined camp as Tanzania gear for a revenge mission against Kenya who beat them 3-2 in Egypt.
Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia challenged the players to dump Kenya out and extend the country’s impressive record.
“This competition is very important to us and we must exert revenge on Kenya by beating them and dumping them out. Our next big project would be to win the following fixture to reach the finals,” said Karia.
“I would like all supporters and the Tanzanian population at large to rally behind the team with maximum support until we make it,” added the TFF boss.
Were infuriated Migne when he missed the opening training session. The player is said to have got wind of Migne’s fury and stayed away from the team altogether while Avire has gone into hiding since his transfer saga that has so far cost ex-FKF CEO Robert Muthomi his job.