Nairobi — Robert Mambo says he has no hard feelings for being dropped from the Harambee Stars starting line-up that lost away to Guinea Bissau in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

"The coach explained to me why he started without me in the squad and I completely understood. He said he wanted to continue with the team that played against Tanzania in an international friendly last month," Mambo, 31, the most experienced player in the team, said on Wednesday in Nairobi.

The midfielder was an unused substitute, the first time he was benched in qualifiers since featuring in the 2004 finals. Saying he completely understands the coach's desire to build a new team, he added that he will always be available for selection.

"We have a new generation of players such as Kevin Ochieng, George Odhiambo and Levi Muaka, who are coming through and they need all the support they can get," he said.

The Sweden-based player said the team played well in Bissau but were let down by poor finishing.

"I want to tell the fans sorry the results did not go our way but we still have a big chance of qualifying for the 2012 finals. The qualifiers have only started."