Chris Musumba
29 September 2008
Nairobi — Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has taunted Guinea ahead of their 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifier, saying his charges have nothing to lose in their final group encounter in Conakry.
The national team resumed training on Monday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani for three days before breaking up for the weekend Kenyan Premier League matches.
Kimanzi has since called in Western Stima's left back Christopher Liswa in a bid to increase his options on the left wing which proved to be one of the areas that Harambee Stars struggled in their encounter with Namibia early this month.
Assistant coach Yusuf Chippo noted that Liswa is essential on the left flank and he will be drafted into the squad.
"We have brought in Liswa from Western Stima. He is good on the left wing and we hope he will be of use to us."
Kimanzi said he is yet to assess the form and fitness of any player saying they have until after the weekend league fixtures, to prove themselves.
Have two sessions a day
The coach will have to do with the local players in the first week before the oversee based professionals jet in from Monday.
"Its after this that we will have to see each position and its needs. At the moment all must work hard to get to the required form," he said.
The coach failed to get the players a week before as Kenya Football Federation (KFF) and KPL argued over the right to manage the team.
"I wanted ten sessions with the players in the first two weeks. But I have to do with what I have now.
"We only have two session a day and we will be with the players for three days before they break. The time we have is not adequate to observe well individual players performance."
With a break expected this weekend, Kimanzi noted that some of his players might pick up injuries which might limit his selection.
"That is why it is important to wait until next week before passing a judgement on our strength and weakness ahead of the match in Conakry," he noted.
Kenya are top of Group two and through to the next round of 20 teams having amassed ten points in five games.
Guinea with eight points must win in the last match against Kenya if they are to edge out Zimbabwe while Namibia have been bundled out.
Kimanzi has helped Kenya register an impressive 2-0 home results against Guinea and Zimbabwe, stun Namibia 1-0 and drew goalless with Zimbabwe away.
The coach has said that he will use the match in Conakry to plan for the second round which will see Kenya pooled alongside other three teams with the winner securing the ticket to the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
Top three teams will head to Angola for the Africa Nations Cup tournament.
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