FKF boss Mwendwa defends Stars squad in Bissau tie
Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa has backed youngsters Patillah Omotto and Ovella Ochieng’ to improve on their performances with the national team.
In a series of tweets, Mwendwa also seemed to defend the decision by the technical bench to include the duo in the team’s squad for the crucial match.
Kenya lost the game 1-0, a result that virtually deflates the team’s hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.
GOOD YOUNGSTERS
Mwendwa wrote: “There is and will be a lot of talk. We have good youngsters and we will make them stronger. We cannot shy away from these situations.”
The newly elected FKF President’s sentiments are, however, contrary to those of fans and stakeholders as expressed on social media.
Omotto and Ovella play at Mwendwa’s first division club, Kariobangi Sharks. Prior to the Bissau match, they had not featured in any competitive football for the past six months.
Omotto was selected to start the match ahead of the more experienced Zambia-based Anthony Akumu.
Ovella, meanwhile, made a late cameo in the game, with Stars already trailing, at the expense of the likes of Anthony Kimani, Timothy Otieno and David King’atua who are all enjoying a rich vein of form in the Kenya Premier League.
Fans took to social media after the match to claim that Omotto and Ovella’s inclusion was as a result of favoritism from the technical bench.
“They (technical bench) is trying to throw the boy (Omotto) into the frame too early. He couldn’t say no. Its not his problem. The problem is the technical bench (sic),” former Harambee Stars striker Boniface Ambani said.
PLAYERS RESERVATION
A number of senior Harambee Stars players, whom Nairobi News spoke to but refused to be quoted, have also raised their reservations on the inclusion of Omotto in the team’s starting line up.
Head coach Stanley Okumbi, who is already fighting off accusations of being inexperienced for the job,
was also accused of fielding players out of position in Bissau.
For instance, the decision to play James Situma – a right footed experienced defender – as left back at the expense of Dennis Odhiambo and Omar Mbongi has been criticized.
So too was was the decision to select Mohammed Musa – who features in central defence for KPL champions Gor Mahia – as right back.
In the end, Mohammed was at fault for the lone goal that Stars conceded.
Stars are expected back home Thursday evening and are scheduled to head straight into preparations ahead of the return leg match with Guinea Bissau at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
