Charles Nyende
1 October 2008
Nairobi — Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has said Kenya's real World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier starts in Conakry on October 12 when they face Guinea in Group Two decider.
"For us, this is the real test on our ability; playing a top team in Africa away. It is like the qualifiers have now started. In the next round Kenya will be drawn against the best sides in Africa," Kimanzi said on Wednesday.
The assumption is that Kenya will qualify for the final phase of elimination. One 10 points from five matches, Stars are all but assured of going through to the second phase.
A win or draw in Conakry will give them the automatic qualifying spot reserved for group winners.
The mathematics also favours Stars to pull through as a one of eight best runners-up should they lose in Conakry and surrender top spot to Guinea.
Kimanzi is looking for anything but that scenario.
"We are very concerned with our consistency. This match has something at stake and we want to build on our consistency by winning. It will give this team psychological confidence as we look ahead," Kimanzi said.
Kenya have gone four games without a loss on the 2010 road - three wins, one draw - and without conceding a goal since losing 1-2 to Namibia in Windhoek in May.
Kimanzi has been boosted by the anticipated availability of all his squad members following the return of Auxerre's Dennis Oliech from suspension.
Oliech, Macdonald Mariga (Parma) and Patrick Oboya (Siad Most), considered the top professionals in the Stars squad at the moment, have only played together in two match of the current qualifiers, the identical 2-0 win at home against Guinea and Zimbabwe.
Club commitments, injury and suspensions have kept them apart in the other matches.
Kimanzi has meanwhile been noncommittal on his available to coach Kenya after his current contract with the joint KFF/KPL Harambee Stars management board expires on October 12.
"I do not want to discuss this matter. Harambee Stars does not belong to me. I will discuss this issue after we have finished our qualifiers," he offered.
Kamanzi, at just 32, and in only his first stint as a national coach has been credited with transforming Harambee Stars to an outfit capable of challenging Africa's big boys.
His record of played six, won three, drawn two (all away) and lost one stands him in good stead for a renewal of his contract.
However, there has been talk by the government of hiring a foreign coach for Harambee Stars should they qualify for the next round.
Harambee Stars continued with their residential training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Wednesday.
The players will break camp on Thursday for their weekend league assignments before returning on Sunday for the final countdown to Conakry.
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