 The Harambe Stars have plenty to do before Tunisia |
Kenya may have qualified for their first Nations Cup finals in 12 years, but the country's national team will have much more to prove in Tunisia next year. The Harambee Stars made their Nations Cup debut in 1972 in Cameroon but had to endure a long wait before returning to the 1988 finals held in Morocco.
They were also present at the 1990 finals in Algeria and Senegal in 1992. But in all four competitions, the East Africans, who were trained by foreign coaches, failed to get past the first round.
This time around the team will be guided in Tunisia by an all-Kenyan technical bench.
And team manager David Ochieng believes they have found the winning formula.
"We have shown through the qualification process that local coaches can take the team to great heights," said Ochieng, who played for Kenya in the 1988 and 1992 finals.
The former Harambee Stars goalkeeper added: "This is because we understand the players and we can easily solve their problems.
"We feel we are well-prepared mentally and psychologically to face the big boys again in Tunisia."
Another former goalkeeper, Jacob Mulee, now national coach, and former national defender Mickey Weche as his deputy, were appointed after German coach Reinhard Fabisch was fired earlier this year. But Kenya's qualification for Tunisia was achieved against heavy odds after they had lost their big sponsors in the middle of the qualifying campaign.
Kenya Breweries pulled the plug on their sponsorship deal following a protracted row with officials of the Kenya Football Federation.
In the end, it was only a donation of US$13,340 from Anglo-French oil company, Total Kenya, that saved the situation, after players threatened to strike on the eve of their final group five match against Cape Verde.
Kenya's prospects in Tunisia will hinge on experienced players such as veteran skipper Musa Otieno, Robert Mambo and Walter Odede.
 Robert Mambo and Walter Odede are key players |
But new striking sensation Dennis Oliech is also expected to feature prominently in Kenya's quest for glory. The 19-year-old Oliech joined Qatar side Al Arabi three months ago and is tipped to join a big European club sooner rather than later.
Ochieng believes the team needs to be strengthened before the finals kick off in Tunisia in January.
He said: "Apart from retaining the same outfit, we have to search for new talent to rebuild the side for Tunisia.
"We expect much tougher opposition since the tournament will also act as a qualifier for the 2006 World Cup."
MMIX
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We feel we are well prepared mentally and psychologically to face the big boys again 