Migné Backs Harambee Stars To Deliver Against 'Difficult' Senegal

CAIRO, Egypt- Harambee Stars head coach Sébastien Migné maintains his rejuvenated team can get a result against Senegal in their final Group C clash on Monday as Kenya seek to make the knockout stages of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The Frenchman saw his team bounce back to their opening 0-2 defeat to Algeria last Sunday to floor neighbours Tanzania 3-2 on Thursday night after coming from behind twice to claim a morale boosting victory that gave them a fighting chance to finish among the top two automatic qualifiers or play for one of the best four third-placed teams that will qualify for the round of 16.

The fancied Teranga Lions have all to do after their hopes of sealing direct qualification were dented by a 0-1 loss to the Desert Foxes to remain second in Group C standings ahead of Stars on goal difference as the Algerians who play Tanzania in the other Monday clash punched their ticket to the next phase of the biannual continental showpiece.

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“We know it will be difficult playing against the number one country in Africa. But it was difficult as well when we came up against Ghana during qualification and we won. We can do it,” said coach Migné told the Football Kenya Federation website.

The Frenchman who masterminded Kenya's return to the AFCON for the first time in 15 years further hailed the role of young SportPesa Premier League side Sofapaka FC forward John Avire in their win over Taifa Stars having brought him on to add firepower to his attack after falling behind 1-2 at half time.

Matasi decision

“I think it was a good decision. It was necessary to add a striker to partner Olunga upfront and Avire coming on gave Olunga much more freedom. Sometimes coaches are afraid of fielding young players in such matches but I’m not,” Migné emphasised.

The Frenchman could welcome back injured defender, Joash Onyango who was ruled out of the games against Algeria and Tanzania with knee injury having seen his shaky rearguard stretched to its limits in the opening two Group C encounters.

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Kenyans will also be keen to see whether he will drop his first choice keeper, Patrick Matasi and bring on either the immediate former SPL runner-ups, Bandari FC gloveman Farouk Shikhalo or John Oyemba of Kariobangi Sharks FC in goal.

This is after his first choice custodian produced an error-strewn display against Tanzania where he was responsible for the strikes scored by Happygod Mvura and Mbwana Samatta.

Shikhalo signed with Dar giants, Yanga SC on Friday to end his fruitful spell at the SportPesa Shield Cup holders Bandari.

The other decision facing the Frenchman is whether to demote SPL champions Gor Mahia FC star midfielder, Francis Kahata, who has failed to offer his usual creative spark to the bench in his starts against Algeria and Tanzania where he was substituted for Johanna Omollo.

-Material from FKF was used to compile this report