By Austin Oduor Otieno,
The Young Harambee Stars which Scottish born Bobby Williamson is shaping to use in future as the National team will this afternoon at 4 pm welcome visiting Young Zebras of Botswana in the second leg Round 1 match of the CAF African U23 Championship at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Botswana’s Young Zebras carries a 3 goal cushion and they hope to progress to Round 2 with a win, a draw or a loss of less than 2 goals. Botswana got off to a flying start with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Young Harambee Stars a fortnight ago in Lobatse stadium with goals from Omaatla Kebatho( 49’ 87’ ) and Kabelo Seakanyes 53’.
Botswana coach Paul Keitumetse has so far fired warning to his counterpart Bobby Williamson of Kenya that they are going to finish the job today. He said they will be cautious against a Kenyan team that will desperately need to score many goals to avenge the 3-0 loss in Botswana. He further revealed that they would try to contain Kenya and settle for a draw than opening up in an away territory. He however insisted that his priority is to advance to the second round where they will meet Zambia. “We have speedy wingers that can counter attack, we will remain compact, discipline and play with open mind” He said. The coach was not disturbed by the injury to Tapiwa Gadibolae who he said will get a perfect replacement.
Before the Young Zebras departed to Kenya, they played a full game against League Side Mochudi Centre Chiefs hitting them 4-2 and the Coach was happy with the results. He was happy with the Premier league teams who despite others facing relegation, sent their players in time.
On the other hand, his Kenyan Counterpart Bobby Williamson remained optimistic of scoring more than 3 goals and proceeds to the second round of the qualifiers. The arrivals of Gor Mahia duo of Haron Shakava and Michael Olunga was a big boost to the squad.
Coach Bobby will have 19 players to choose from his first eleven. The players are
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Robert Mboya
Defenders: Collins Shivachi, Robinson Kamura, Vincent Omumbo, Brian Birgen, David Gateri, Harun Shakava, Hilary Otieno
Midfielders: Victor Ndinya, David King’atua, Luis Misiko, Vincent Otieno, Harrison Mwendwa, Jackson Macharia, Anthony Mbugua, Stephen Wakhanya
Strikers: John Ndirangu, Michael Olunga
The 2015 CAF U-23 Championship acts as qualification to the 2016 Summer Olympics with the top three teams qualifying.
The winner of the match will meet Zambia in the next round
Statistics between the two teams is limited to World Cup Qualifiers and Friendly matches as they haven’t met at the U23 stage
The last time the two Countries met was a friendly match on 11/07/2013 in Kenya where Kenya lost 1-2.
12/07/2012 Friendly Match in Botswana where Kenya won 3-1
10/08/2011 Friendly match played in Botswana with Kenya losing 1-0
26/3/2005 World Cup 2006 Germany Qualifiers where Kenya won 1-0 in Nairobi.
09/10/2004 World Cup 2006 Germany Qualifiers where Botswana won 2-1 in Gaborone
The match will be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium with the gate charges reduced to Ksh. 100 for terraces and Ksh. 300 for VIP.FKF CEO Michael Esakwa has urged fans to come in large numbers and chear the team.
The match officials are from neighbouring Rwanda with Abdoul Kanon Twagiramukesa as the centre referee,his assistants will be John Bosco Niyitegeko and Raymond Bwilira.The fourth official will be Hudu Munyemazi.
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