Kenya begin their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo at Nyayo National Stadium from 5pm without midfielder McDonald Mariga but with plenty of conviction.
Coach Francis Kimanzi was upbeat of downing the Emmanuel Adebayor-led Sparrow Hawks even without easily the most famous Kenyan player in the world.
“We have prepared every single detail for the match. We are focused and ready for battle. The players are looking sharp and confident,” Kimanzi said yesterday after a training session at Nyayo.
He refused to make any specific comment about Mariga’s absence, only offering: “At the moment I want to concentrate with what I have in camp. It is the players who are in and want to play for their country that I am concentrating on. We are set to play without him.”
Mariga refused to train with the team demanding about Sh1.2 million in accrued, unpaid air ticket fares despite travelling from his Parma base to Nairobi for the fixture. Captain Dennis Oliech, set to play in his sixth African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, talked on the need for a good start.
“We are playing at home, we have good support from the federation and the fans and all we need is to focus and win by at least two or more goals. We cannot afford to lose or to concede a goal,” the Auxerre striker said. The return leg will be held in Lome in June with the winner progressing to the next round.
Midfield bedrock
Oliech, however, called on Football Kenya Federation to sort out Mariga’s payment issues so he can play on Wednesday.
“We have sponsorship of Sh110 million. They should get part of this money and pay him. The important thing tomorrow is to play and win. Money should not be an issue. He is our key player in midfield and should be paid his dues.”
But Mariga effectively closed the door on his appearance after staying out two days of training against the wishes of the coach and the federation.
Can Harambee Stars get on without him? Mariga’s form has been on the wane for most of this (European) season.
In his last game for Harambee Stars, versus Uganda in October, he had one of his poorest international outing.
He kept losing possession, playing loose passes and generally accounting for many breakdowns of Harambee Stars’ moves.
In the World Cup preliminary round match up against Seychelles he did not feature because of an arm injury but Stars put up a dominant display to emphatically win 7-0 on aggregate.
Ironically, as Mariga’s star has faded, his brother Victor Wanyama’s has risen. Wanyama, of Celtic in the Scottish League, was outstanding in the famous 0-0 away draw to Uganda and has cemented his position as the midfield bedrock, playing just in front of the back four.
Kimanzi is likely to maintain the midfield that played against Seychelles; Kevin Kimani providing width on the right, Jamal Mohammed playing a more central role and Titus Mulama offering attack and cover as well.
Oliech will once again lead the attack that has not failed to score at home in their last three World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifier matches.
Paul Were, Allan Wanga and perhaps new boy Christian Bwamy will options in attack.
It is however in defense that Kenya will have to be most careful with the in-form Adebayor expected in town. Kimanzi said he had no strategy on playing against an individual but containing the Tottenham Hotspur forward will be key to a Kenyan victory.
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