Harambee Stars will look to get their Afcon 2017 campaign back on track when they face off against Guinea Bissau in a Group E clash at the Estadio 24 de Setembro on Wednesday.
If past records are to be used as the yardstick, then Kenya’s match against Guinea Bissau in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Wednesday is evenly poised.
The two sides have met twice, each team winning once. Their first meeting was on September 4, 2010 in Bissau in the first leg qualifier match of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with Stars, under Twahir Muhiddin, losing 0-1.
But Kenya atoned for the loss by winning the return leg 2-1 in Nairobi on September 3, 2011 courtesy of a Dennis Oliech Screamer.
Fast forward to this year, the two sides will again meet on Wednesday at Bissau’s Etadio 24 de Septembro, with Stars under enormous pressure to win the match before hosting the return leg on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.
Kenya is ranked 103rd globally, lying 44 places above the 147th-placed Guinea Bissau.
Victory in Stanley Okumbi’s first match in charge of the national team will see Stars back in the reckoning while a defeat will leave their campaign in danger of dissipating yet again.
Congo Brazzaville and Zambia Chipolopolo lead the group with four points apiece followed by Kenya in third with one point, the same as bottom-placed Guinea Bissau who also have a point from two matches.
The match will be Okumbi’s first taste of international football as he told Soka25east.com
“We have no injuries and we have to plan well and play our best as its an important match. If we get good results away we are also sure of getting good results at home with our fans behind us,” Okumbi told Soka25east.com
“The mood in camp is buoyant we hope to get the best results against our opponents to make our chances realistic when we go back home for the second leg”he added
Arnold Origi should start in goal with David Owino and Brian Mandela holding fort in central defence. Tusker skipper James Situma will start at right back while Omar Mbongi continues at left back.
Skipper Victor Wanyama will join up with the team on the day of the match after a travel hitch saw his arrival delayed.
The midfielder is in fine fettle after stepping off the bench last weekend to inspire Southampton’s 3-2 comeback win over Liverpool.Meanwhile all other foreign based players all arrived on the Monday with Zesco trio of David Owino,Jesse Were and Antony Akumu arriving after doing duty for their club in Guinea.
First choice keeper Arnold Origi also arrived from Norway as well as defender Brian Mandela from South Africa as Johana Omollo arrived in the evening.
Teddy Akumu’s fitness will be assessed before the game after the Zesco Midfielder was hit by a projectile during a Caf Champions League last weekend.
If not fit, then Patilah Omoto may get a chance for his debut appearance.
Stars will need goals upfront with Michael Olunga of Djugarden in Sweden and Zesco hit man Jesse Were expected to be handed the responsibility of finding the back of the net.
Meanwhile Guinea Bissau will be looking to overcome Kenya when they host them in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Wednesday.
The African Wild Dogs were defeated 3-1 at home by Liberia in their last competitive match which was the 2018 World Cup qualification (CAF) first round second-leg clash in October 2015.
Leocisio Sami, Saná and Ibraima So were named in Guinea Bissau’s strong squad which is dominated by overseas based players ahead of the two clashes with Kenya.
Baciro Cande’s side are placed at the bottom of Group E which consists of Congo, Kenya and Congo-Brazzaville.
The African Wild Dogs held former African champions Zambia to a goalless draw away in their first group game, but they lost 4-2 to the Red Devils of Congo at home in their next game.
All four goals conceded by Guinea Bissau thus far in their qualifying campaign were scored by Congolese striker Férébory Doré during the 4-2 defeat in Bissau.
Soka25east.com probable XI
Keeper: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom, Norway)
Defenders: Brian Onyango Mandela (Martizburg United, South Africa), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia),Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya ) Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United, Kenya)
Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Johanna Omollo (Antwerp, Belgium), Eric Johanna (Mathare United, Kenya) and Antony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia)
Strikers: Michael Olunga (Djurgaden, Sweden) and Jesse Were (Zesco, Zambia)
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