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Harambee Stars threaten to boycott Cape Verde return leg


Harambee Stars players have resolved not to honour the World Cup qualification return leg match against Cape Verde Islands following a row with the government over payments and air ticket refunds.

The stunning revelation was made by a senior player in the team who spoke to Nairobi News on Saturday.

“We have resolved to go home and not honour any other match. Enough is enough. This cannot go on,” the player, who asked not to be named for fear of victimization, said.

Kenya defeated Cape Verde 1-0 in the first leg match of the second round qualification phase at the Nyayo Stadium on Friday evening.

The team is slated to travel to Cape Verde capital Praia on Saturday for the return leg match primed for Tuesday.

Earlier Stars Deputy coach Musa Otieno also told Nairobi News that the team has been facing several challenges.

CHALLENGES

He said: “We thank God for helping us win this match against such a top in Africa despite facing several challenges during preps.”

Otieno also confirmed all the foreign based players who missed the first leg victory will not be considered for the return game.

Arnold Origi (Norway), Brian Mandela (South Africa) and Ayub Timbe (Belgium) are some of the players who didn’t play on Friday. They failed to make it to Nairobi from their respective bases after being told to pay for their own transport.

Meanwhile Football Kenya Federation released a statement on Friday evening confirming that the government is processing all the payments in arrears.

Kenya will be disqualified for the World Cup qualification and heavily fined by world governing body if Stars don’t honour the return leg clash.