Stars coach Ghost Mulee, who took charge last week
Barely two days after naming the Harambee Stars provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, head coach Jacob Ghost Mulee has spelled out lofty ambitions for the team.
Mulee, who took over from Francis Kimanzi last week, has expressed Harambee Stars’ intent to consistently qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and thanked FKF for bestowing confidence in him to lead the national team.
“It’s a good thing that the federation has shown confidence in what I can do. I have been following the team in recent times and I see a lot of quality in the playing unit,” said Mulee.
His first assignment will be the upcoming two-legged Afcon qualifier against Comoros next month.
“The first task is to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. In the recent past, our story has been going for the tournament and then staying out for long thereafter.
We want to make it a habit that we will be able to qualify for Afcon every other year,” said the coach.
“I am happy that our top striker Olunga [Michael] called to congratulate me on my appointment. He’s promised to turn up for us against Comoros. It is an exciting moment for most of the players,” he added.
Ghost is however wary of the threat Comoros poses.
“It’s not an easy match. Most of their players play abroad. But looking at what our team has achieved in recent times, it gives me confidence that we can get a positive result,” he said.
Team selection
Coach Mulee, meanwhile, said his team selection is based on merit and that everyone stands a chance as long as they are up to the task.
“Talent is talent. It’s been difficult for our local-based players during this Covid-19 pandemic in terms of match fitness, hence, we may have to turn to our foreign-based players who have been active. But in the end, talent is talent.”
The first leg will be played at the MISC Kasarani on November 11 at 7 pm, under floodlights, while the second leg has been slated for November 15 away.
Kenya is second in Group G with two points, off identical 1-1 draws with Togo and Egypt.
