Migne Optimistic As He Jets Out With First Batch Of Players

6th October 2018

The rest of the Harambee Stars team will leave the country on Monday with the foreign-based ones set to link up with the team later that day

The men's national football team, Harambee Stars. PHOTO/FKF
The men's national football team, Harambee Stars. PHOTO/FKF
SUMMARY
  • The French tactician also went ahead to state that captain Victor Wanyama’s inclusion is a big boost to the team’s pursuit for a second appearance at the continental showpiece
  • The Tottenham Hotspurs FC midfielder missed out on Kenya's historic 1-0 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana
  • The match has been slated for Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at the Bahir Dar Stadium

NAIROBI, Kenya- Head coach Sebastian Migne is upbeat that Kenya will give a good account of themselves as he alongside five players jetted out to Ethiopia for the first of their back to back 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The French tactician also went ahead to state that captain Victor Wanyama’s inclusion is a big boost to the team’s pursuit for a second appearance at the continental showpiece.

The Tottenham Hotspurs FC midfielder missed out on Kenya's historic 1-0 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana in a qualifier and a win by the similar margin against Malawi in a friendly three days later.

He has been on the sidelines with a slight injury but recently returned to first team action for his English Premier League side.

“Of course it won’t be easy against Ethiopia since they are also equally strong, but my players are up to the task and I am confident we will get a positive result,” said coach Migné.

“We won against Ghana without our captain, it will be morale boosting for us to also win with him. He is one of our most experienced players and will be crucial for us against Ethiopia,” he added.

Seasoned forward

Migne was accompanied by Bandari FC duo of goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo and Abdallah Hassan, together with Gor Mahia FC duo of Philemon Otieno and Francis Kahata.

Seasoned forward and Kakamega Homeboyz FC star striker, Allan Wanga, was also part of the team that took off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The second batch of players will travel on Monday, with foreign-based players also set to link up with the team in Ethiopia on later in the day.

The match has been slated for Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at the Bahir Dar Stadium, with the return leg set to be played on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the MISC Kasarani.

Saturday traveling team

Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari, Kenya), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Monday traveling team

Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Patrick Matasi (Tusker, Kenya), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya)

Foreign Based Players

Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg FC, South Africa), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Ismael Gonzales (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol), Erick Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund)