Charles Nyende
4 September 2008
Nairobi — Kenya captain Robert Mambo has expressed optimism of clearing the Namibia hurdle in Saturday's World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
"We will be at home on Saturday, and we know when we are playing at home we are always on top of our game," the experienced GIF Sundsvall (Sweden) midfielder said at Kenya's camp in Kasarani, Nairobi.
Harambee Stars have indeed been imperious playing at home this season felling the higher ranked Guinea and Zimbabwe with 2-0 identical score lines in the current campaign.
But, Mambo, a veteran of many qualifiers spanning almost a decade, said he expected a tough game against the Brave Warriors, who hold a 3-0 record against Kenya.
Favourites
"Namibia are a tough side but we will stick to our plan. This is a very important game for us. We know if we win we are right there challenging for the top position in the group but if we draw or lose we will be thinking of something else," Mambo said.
Kenya are second in Group Two with seven points from four matches. Favourites Guinea lead the group with a similar number of points and goal difference but have scored six compared to Kenya's five.
Kenya can climb to pole position with a good win against Namibia assuming Guinea, who are away to Zimbabwe on the weekend, falter.
Only the top team from each of the 12 groups and the eight best runners-up will qualify for the final phase of elimination.
The 20 teams will be grouped in five pools of four teams each for another round-robin affair to pick Africa's representative to the 2010 World Cup.
Concentration
Mambo said the team had learnt from their 1-2 early opening loss to Namibia in May and Saturday's encounter will be a different ball game.
"We lost because of a lapse in concentration that resulted in us conceding the second goal. Otherwise we played well. The team picked up from there and we are all looking ahead to another good result."
Kenya are at near full strength and will only be lacking Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech, who is suspended for this match.
Oliech has accounted for three of Kenya's five goals in the qualifiers and Mambo admitted his absence will be felt.
"It is obvious the loss of Oliech is a big blow to us. But we have to look up and play more for him. We are ready for the challenge," he said.
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