Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, coach of Harambee Stars, is confident that Kenya will score maximum points if the team hosts a qualifying match in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2021 in Nairobi next Wednesday in Nairobi.
The team on Thursday intensified its preparations for the match with 18 local players taking part in a double training session at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani. And coach Mulee is impressed with the progress so far.
“We started fairly slowly, but the team is recovering very well. We are slowly getting the pace we want to use. I am very impressed with the local players we have in the camp. They are disciplined and good fighters,” Mulee said. Nation said. Sports after Thursday’s morning session.
Mulee maintains that his charges will not underestimate the Comoros, who lead Group ‘G’ of the 2021 Afcon qualifying competition by four points, after beating Togo and drawing Egypt. Kenya are second with two points after a draw against Togo and Egypt.
“We must respect the Comoros. They are not at the top of the group. They went to Togo and picked up three points, and that tells you the caliber team against which we will act. They have never been in the Afcon and are therefore very eager to qualify for the first time. “They are coming to Nairobi with zeal to continue their good run and I expect a very difficult match,” said the tactician.
“However, we will play at home and that gives us a very good advantage, although we will not have fans to cheer us on. We will play to our strengths and I am optimistic that we will achieve a good result,” he added.
Unattached wing Ayub Timbe Masika, Egypt’s Cliff Nyakeya and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu are the first group of foreign players expected to join the team. The rest is expected this weekend.
However, the availability of Michael Olunga in Japan is still in doubt after his club announced that five of its staff had contracted coronavirus.
Mulee is keen to make the initial striker available to the backs.
“I spoke to him recently and it is still a very difficult situation because we are not sure if he will come. He is very willing to come, but the whole team is currently in quarantine and undergoing tests. We will have to wait and see, “he said,
Wazito goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo is the latest inclusion in the squad, and Mulee says he comes as a back guard.
Mulee also revealed that Finland-based Arnold Origi will finally join the team next week after a five-year absence.