Harambee Stars players meet Bissau President ahead of tie
Harambee Stars contingent in Bissau received a courtesy call from Guinea Bissau President Manuel Lopes Nascimento on Tuesday ahead of their tie on Wednesday.
The match is virtually a win or bust game for both teams in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Kenya and Guinea Bissau are joint bottom in group E that it led by Republic of Congo and Zambia after two matches
Stars locally based players arrived in Bissau on Monday, while the foreign based players have been trickling in from their bases.
Captain Victor Wanyama had challenges connecting from Morroco since Tuesday morning, and is now expected to be the last player to arrive in the tiny West African state on the day of the match.
Despite the absence of quick wingers Paul Were and Ayub Timbe for the, Stars newly installed coach Stanley Okumbi coach has a fairly experienced coach to pick from.
“It is a game we can win. I have emphasised the need to keep our shape and be disciplined in our approach for the entire match. This is the most crucial aspect,” Okumbi told Nairobi News before the team’s departure on Monday morning.
Norwegian based Arnold Origi will start on goal. He should start a defence consisting James Situma, David “Calabar” Owino, Brian Mandela and Dennis Odhiambo in defence.
Wanyama will partner his longtime Belgium based friend Johanna Omollo in deep midfield, as Patillah Omotto occupies the attacking role.
Eric Johanna and Clifton Miheso are primed to compliment Micheal Olunga in attack.
Stars lost to Guinea Bissau by a late goal the last time these two teams played each other at the same venue six yeas ago.
Zambia will face the Republic of Congo in the group’s other match whose result will be significant to Kenya.
Only the top team from the group is assured qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations that will be held in Gabon early next year.
