Nairobi — Poor planning, inept management and a general lack of seriousness nearly cost Harambee Stars dearly.

The national team did not fly to Guinea Bissau on Thursday as planned because, of all reasons, they didn't have air tickets. Stars were to fly to Dakar from where they were to take a connection flight to Bissau.

The Nation learnt that no one had made arrangements for tickets. The government was to book the flight but, strangely, Football Kenya Limited (FKL) made no effort to follow up on the mater until the eleventh hour.

"They did not come to follow up on the matter," said a source at the Sports ministry. "The person who was dealing with the matter did not act in time. FKL are also to blame because they showed little concern up to the last day."

But in trying to save face, FKL secretary Patrick Naggi said the Stars did not fly out yesterday due to "a problem with flight connection".

"We are trying to sort out connection issues between Dakar and Bissau and that's why the team could not leave," said Naggi.

Our investigations however revealed that FKL officials camped at the ministry for the better part of yesterday following up on the tickets - at the last minute.

The team, which was camping at the Sabina Country Inn in Karen, did not train yesterday and the players were given time off "to handle their personal issues".

By mid morning, even the team manager, Edward Oduor, was unaware of when they would leave.

They secured the tickets later in the day and will leave Friday morning aboard Kenya Airways.