Trouble seems to be brewing in the Harambee Stars’ technical bench days to a crucial AFCON 2017 Qualifier return leg match against Congo Brazzaville.
This is after impromptu changes in the technical team lead by head coach Stanley Okumbi.
In the new order, goalkeepers trainer Razak Siwa has been forced to quit for “incompetence” – and in his place, Okumbi has introduced U20 keepers coach Sunil Shah.
Razak has bemoaned the manner in which this was done by Okumbi saying he deserves respect after giving his best. Razak was given a dress down by the former Mathare United tactician infront of his peers before being dismissed.
He (Razak) claims that he was not given free hand to carry out his mandate.
The soft spoken coach further alleges that he is being made to shoulder the blame for the goals Stars’ conceded against Guinea Bissau both home and away and the goals scored by Tanzania and Sudan in the recent international friendlies – but he maintains he prepared the keepers adequately for the matches.
“It’s improper the way I have been dismissed from the team. Sunil was introduced as my assistant, but little did I know he was being used to kick me out,”
“If you look at the goals we have let in lately, you can’t entirely blame the keepers. I proposed we work to improve the coordination between keepers and defenders because that’s where the problem lies but that hasnt happened, instead the whole issue has turned into a blame game,”
Three keepers have done duty for Kenya in the recent past namely; Arnold Origi, Boniface Oluoch and David Okello.
“Against Tanzania, I prepared and assessed Ian Otieno to be fit for a starting role, but Boniface was given the nod without my knowledge despite the player telling me he wasn’t ready for the tie,”
Razak has also accused the technical bench of discrimination citing defender Ottewa (Bandari FC) who was called up to the national team only to be dropped and replaced with “friends of the technical bench”.
Talking to Soka25east.com over the matter, the Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa said he was aware of the changes, however there’s nothing he could do about them.
“Okumbi is the head of the technical bench, he chooses who to work with. I gave him the job and I can’t interfere. For me what I want is results,” Nick said.
“We are entirely focused on the Sunday match and their is no division in the technical bench.” Nick stressed.
U20 head Coach John Kamau has also been drafted into the Stars’ technical bench by Okumbi – this as well is causing ripples, with Okumbi’s assistants; Frank Ouna and Musa Otieno said to be unhappy with the shake up.
Kenya hosts Congo Brazzaville at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday 5.
@bonfaceosano
