Coach Mulee to stick to Kimanzi’s squad for clash against Comoros
Harambee Stars Head Coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee has expressed satisfaction with the squad selected by his predecessor Francis Kimanzi ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Comoros.
Mulee, who was unveiled as the coach to replace Kimanzi on Wednesday, said he will not change the squad that beat the Chipolopolo of Zambia 2-1 in a friendly match in Nairobi a fortnight ago.
Said Mulee: “It would not be in order to change a winning squad. What I saw against Zambia is a Harambee Stars team that has the pedigree to challenge some of the best teams in Africa.
I want to build on the squad and hopefully, we should register good results against Comoros.”
Mulee who coached the team at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations said there is a large pool of quality players in the current squad but will add few if necessary.
“I watched the match against Zambia and will further look at the players individually to ascertain each one’s role.
The idea here is to win all our home matches and try to post descent results in away matches to achieve our dream,” said Mulee.
Mulee is expected to assess all the locally based players next week and professionals later before Comoros come calling for the first leg match that will be played under floodlights at Nyayo National Stadium Nairobi on November 11.
Among the professionals who are expected to link up with the team include Cliff Nyakeya (Al Masr, Egypt), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg, South Africa), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Sodra, Sweden) and Anthony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa).
And despite the Covid-19 restrictions in their respective bases, Mulee expressed optimism that measures shall be taken for all the professionals to be available.
“It’s a tricky situation but the clubs should know that national team duties are paramount. I hope they will put measures to ensure the players land in the country safely ready to serve the national team,’’ said Mulee
The Afcon qualifying match against Comoros was originally planned for Kasarani before it was switched to Nyayo as floodlights at the former venue are dysfunctional, according to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa.
