Kenya may have sailed to the second round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifiers after their 2-1 aggregate win over Comoros, but much more needs to be done if Kenya is to grace the continental showpiece in Morocco next year.
Harambee Stars, who were clear favourites to win the two-leg round, struggled to see off a lowly Comoros.
Despite boasting a rich talent, Stars could only manage a 1-0 win at home before being held to an embarrassing 1-1 draw on Friday in Moroni by a team that is 78 places below Kenya in the latest Fifa rankings.
Kenya will next face the winner of the other preliminary round between Lesotho and Liberia before the ultimate phase of the qualifiers.
'INFERIOR OPPOSITION'
Many feel the result against an ‘inferior opposition’ is not convincing. Kenya’s performance has been poor and the road to Morocco remains a mountain to climb.
“It is a satisfactory result because we won at home and drew away and qualified for the next phase,” former Kenya international Simeon Mulama said.
“But the performance was far from convincing. A lot of work needs to be done if we are to make it to Morocco,” the former midfielder added.
Head coach Adel Amrouche assembled the best crop of talent but the squad was plagued by many problems, including lack of harmony.
The team must reorganise itself ahead of upcoming matches, including three potential trips to West Africa. Goals by Johanna Omollo in Nairobi and Ayub Timbe away were as a result of individual effort.
Jamal Mohammed and Dennis Oliech were reduced to mere statistics in the first leg and McDonald Mariga was evidently unfit.
PAINFULLY SLOW
Coach Adel Amrouche has tried to give the team an identity in play as most of the attacks were built from the back but Kenya’s game still remains painfully slow.
The lack of a recognized finisher has also compounded matters for the team. The team could also retain possession through a fine passing game.
“We need to stop this idea of starting preparations early and then end up not utilizing them,” Ludovick Aduda, a football administrator noted.
“We also need to arrange for high profile friendly games if we are to improve the quality of the team,” Aduda said.
Wilson Obung’u, James Situma, Clifton Miheso and Allan Wanga are the only locally based players utilized during the two legs.
The aggregate winner of the Lesotho versus Liberia tie now stands between Kenya and a place in the group stage that includes the competition’s losing finalists Burkina Fasso, Angola and Gabon. Two teams from the group will go to Morocco.
0 comments:
Post a Comment