Kenya Coach To Work With Foreign Players Monitored

Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche over the weekend said he is yet to officially release his list of foreign based players who will link up with the rest of the team in Nairobi ahead of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier matches.

Amrouche says he will only work with the players he has been able to monitor through his networks in the foreign leagues as he prefers to give locally based players a chance compared to ones he is not sure of their form.

“You cannot buy fish that is in the sea, you only bank on the one you have seen on the shore. So for me I will first give priority to the local based players and those that I have been able to monitor. Some people are sending me messages telling me about Blackberry, my friends, I only use Nokia. I however know some player turning out for a club in Armenia though I am yet to see him play” He was quoted as saying by michezoafrika.com.

The coach adds that, “With players like Oliech and Wanyama you don’t need to ask about their form because they are always in action for their clubs. I have also been following up Kepha Aswani and Curtis Osano among others.”

Last week, Football Kenya Federation released a list of foreign based players expected to join the locally based Stars in preparation for the Nigeria match on June 5th in Nairobi.

However Amrouche dismissed the list saying, “I only read about this list in the press. I am yet to release my official list. I cannot say whether that one was the right one but I can say I will name my players when I am ready.” He added though he did not specify the day he expects foreign players in camp.

With the European leagues already concluded, most Kenyan internationals have already arrived in Nairobi for the off season holidays.

The coach continues to say he is happy with the progress of the locally based players and he is confident the team will put up a good performance against the African champions Nigeria in Nairobi.

“We will take a match at a time but I can say I am happy to have worked with the local players who have shown great sign of improvement and good team attitude.”

Foreign players whose names were released last week include: Dennis Oliech. Macdonald Mariga, Victor Wanyama, Arnold Origi, Curtis Osano, Kepha Aswani, Patrick Osiako, Ayub Timbe, Johanna Omollo, David Gateri, Brian Mandela, Jamal Mohammed.

Thanks to michezoafrika.com.