AFCON 2019: Timbe Wizardly Gives Stars Fans Hopes As Concern Lingers

NAIROBI, Kenya- Winger Ayub Timbe Masika was the toast of his nation which celebrated his dazzling piece of skill that set up striker Michael Olunga for the Harambee Stars opener as Kenya held the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 1-1 during their final Egypt 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations pre-tournament friendly in Spain on Saturday night.

The latest outing for Sebastien Migne and his team who will grace the continental showpiece for the first time in 15 years, was the subject of intense debate among local supporters online.

Most hailed the team for their attacking bravely against a quality side while expressing concern on failing to capitalise on chances and lack of concentration in the final embers of the game. 

Once again, the handling of first choice keeper, Patrick Matasi came under scrutiny but over all, Kenyans are optimistic their team will not be the whipping boys of the tournament they last featured in Tunisia 2004.

Timbe was the undoubted star of the show despite hobbling off after suffering a knock, sparking concern among the national football team fans but is now reported to be fine and will play a part next Sunday (June 23) when Stars take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in their opening Group C clash.

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According to Goal.com, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Nick Mwendwa, confirmed the winger who is rumoured to be on the brink of a move from his Chinese Super League side, Beijing Renhe to former English Premier League side, Reading FC would recover in time for the start of the AFCON as the team flew back to their base in France on Sunday. 

Stars will depart on Wednesday for Cairo, Egypt where they will play neighbours Tanzania and the Lions of Teranga from Senegal to wrap up their preliminary round campaign at the high table of African football.

“Timbe (Ayub) is very fine and was just pulled out of the friendly only as a precautionary measure. It was nothing serious, only that the technical bench felt that he needed to rest,” Mwendwa is quoted saying.

Kenyans online celebrated the craft of the speedy winger but teammate and custodian, Matasi, once again found himself at the centre of online ire when he conceded a penalty that he saved in the 56th minute of the game.

The St. George's FC keeper was then blamed for the equaliser scored by English Premier League West Ham United FC star, Arthur Masuaku in the 87th.

Timbe, the Pumwani born 26 year-old who was formerly in the books of Belgian giants Anderlecht and Genk, left three DRC players trailing in his wake in a mesmerising cross field sprint before he set up Olunga.

The Japan-based Kashima Reysol FC striker steadied himself before arrowing an unstoppable finish for Sebestien Migne's side to take a 1-0 lead at half-time.

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Matasi was then penalised for hauling Cedric Bakambu but redeemed himself when he saved his spot kick only for the keeper who was also at fault for Ghana's winner in their final AFCON qualifier in March misjudged his positioning to allow Masuaku to score his first goal ever for his country.

"Ayub Timbe is out there finishing careers. Pray for Algeria. It is coming home," radio journalist, Aleckie Ronald cheered on Twitter.

"One of Kenya's best player superb talent Ayub Timbe Masika Ayub Timbe Afcon will appreciate his talent," CAF Media Officer, Collins Okinyo added on Facebook as the winger trended throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Greatly improved

"It was refreshing to see a new system from Migne which was even more attacking than the ones we have witnessed in the recent games. Also the passing aspect of our game has greatly improved.

"Our first XI looks really sharp and we able to link up play and transition faster than we have been doing recently. Ayub Timbe was very lively and his assist to Olunga was a thing of beauty," Anthony Dida Dimore posted on the K.P.L Chat Facebook group.

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"Here's a look at Ayub Timbe's madness that led to Olunga's goal. Mad ting (thing)! Tanzania, Algeria and Senegal should really be scared. It's coming home!" Francis Gaitho who goes by the Twitter handle @KenyanFootball posted with a video of Timbe's wizardly at the Estadio de Santa Ana in Madrid.

Harambee Stars captain, Victor Wanyama in action against the DRC during their friendly in Madrid, Spain on Saturday June 15, 2019. PHOTO/Courtesy/FKF

While there was a lot to cheer about the prospects of Migne's outfit after beating Madagascar 1-0 and drawing 1-1 against the highly-rated DRC, supporters highlighted a few chinks in the Frenchman's armour with Matasi once again coming for ribbing as the team was blamed for lacking concentration in the final minutes.

Fans were quick to recall Ghana's winner came in the last 10 minutes that saw stars miss out on a chance to top their qualifying group having punched their AFCON ticket earlier when the expulsion of Sierra Leone from the biannual competition was confirmed by CAF in February.

For the FKF boss Mwendwa, it is time to rally behind Stars with his federation pushing the social media hashtag #Tunaweza to ignite the belief in the national team that has risen from the doldrums of African football to one of the rated dark horses of the 2019 AFCON.

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"Kenya 1-1 DRC in madrid. Preps done. Let's go stars ! Come on boys," Mwedwa who took over at FKF in February 2016 tweeted.

Supporters engaged with the federation boss with Matasi, the penalty shootout hero of the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup victory coming for some ribbing.

"@Nmwendwa concentration by Matasi important, giving penalties and easy goals," Victor Ouya responded.

"Great.. But Matasi needs a talk down.. His overconfidence will cost the team... Penalty was unnecessary even if he saved it," Alex Kifana added.

Kenya rising

"Let's support the boys. We are not there but we are on the way there. It's a mattee (Matter) of time. I don't know when but Kenya is rising step by step," Mwenda told back with some fans agreeing with him the pre-AFCON build-up in France was what the team needed to make a splash in Egypt.

"Lots of positives also a few areas of concern, let's go Stars," Boniface Osano, one of those thrilled by the preparation programme cheered.

What most online users agreed was Migne has a first XI that will cause their rivals trouble and a tactical formation that is sure to rattle the likes of the Dessert Foxes of Algeria and Senegal who have been installed as pre-tournament favourites.

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Anxiety nonetheless lingers on the tools the French tactician who was hired in May 2018 has on the bench incase he needs to change the complexion of a game or like Timbe on Saturday night.

"Our set pieces are not good at all. We barely created any clear cut chances from corners and free kicks. It's also not a good sign that we have conceded two penalties in two consecutive games. We really need to be more careful in our area," Dida wrote on his post.

"As it looks, our starting XI is what we can count on going to AFCON. Paul Were came in for Ayub Timbe, Masud Juma for Olunga, Ovella (Ochieng') replaced Eric Johanna and Ishmael Gonzalez was introduced in place of Francis Kahata.

"None of the new entrants made the team stronger than it was. Paul Were faded sooner than he made his first touch while Ovella looked like he came in to concede free kicks.

"Masud was lost and Ishmael would have rather stayed on the bench. I wish Eric (Marcelo) Ouma was introduced instead," he added.

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"BT the boys in most games they end up giving up in the last quarter of the game. Remember the game against Ghana at Accra??what may be the problem Mr President coz (because) this might cost us in the coming tournament," Dennis Mutuku responded to Mwendwa on Twitter.

With DRC now dusted and the team heading to France to wrap up their preparations for the AFCON, Kenyans cannot wait for Sunday when captain Victor Wanyama leads out the boys to face English Premier League rival and Manchester City FC star, Riyad Mahrez and company.

Hopes springs eternal that Stars can qualify past the group stages for the first time on their sixth AFCON appearance, having won their first ever game in 2004 when Kenya whipped Burkina Faso 3-0 in a dead group stage rubber in Bizarte, Tunisia.

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Harambee Stars goal keeper, Patrick Matasi pictured upon arrival in Madrid for their friendly against the DRC on Saturday June 15, 2019. PHOTO/Courtesy/FKF