Harambee stars only need one defeat that is against Ethiopia and a draw to see them through to the Afcon for the first time in 14 years.
This news comes has Sierra Leone has been suspended by FIFA. The west African side was in the same qualifying group(F) along side Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.
following the ban that was communicated Friday , all results involving them stand cancelled. This presents Harambee stars with a golden opportunity to break the Afcon jinx.
The suspension comes after a recent letter from FIFA to the Minister of Sports of Sierra Leone to express grave concern about the removal of the SLFA President and the General secretary and to request that both be allowed to access the SLFA premises without further delay to ensure that the operations of the SLFA, including FIFA -funded projects are not jeopardized.
Following its suspension , the SLFA has lost its membership rights as defined by FIFA rules . The suspension will continue to be effective until when the two SLFA leaders are allowed to take back their positions.
Harambee stars are in a good position following their defeat on the 1-0 defeat against the black stars of Ghana last month in Kasarani , Nairobi.
Harambee stars manager Sebastian Migne has given the Football Kenya Federation(FKF) a notice indicating that he will be quitting his role as the National team coach.
Although of the news and an opportunity of team Kenya being in a position to qualify for the Afcon, the camp is experiencing a lot of constraints . The reports indicate that FKF is not in position to secure air tickets for Harambee stars player to Addis Ababa.
The international players are expected to fly direct to Addis ahead of their clash. The problems seem to pile as even local players do not have a training camp, which has given coach Migne a tough time leading the stars.
Coach Sebastian , has offered the FKF a quit notice. This comes after the coach going for two months being paid by the government. He has given the FKF up-to 15 October 2018 to be paid all his dues for the remaining months or else he resigns.
“We have not been able to pay for his July , August and September salaries and we have received an official letter from him saying he has to be paid by 15th ,” FKF boss Nick Mwendwa disclosed.
The national government had decided to take the responsibility of paying the national team coach and the backroom staff of Harambee stars.
This comes after the FKF offices were frozen by KRA over tax arrears which have crippled the body making running football in the country a very big problem. Led by the vocal Nick Mwendwa the body is non-functional without funds.
With all the problems in the Harambee stars camp Kenyans are positive that they will produce positive results. On Wednesday they will face Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in which it is expected to be tough match . Ethiopia have tightened their training in preparation of Harambee face off in front of their home fans. They are also focused on the Afcon on which they have also a perfect opportunity to qualify.
The return match will be on the same week, when Harambee will be facing Ethiopia in Kasarani, Nairobi. The Harambee stars is expected to impress the home fans as they did when they played Ghana and recorded a historic victory over the African champions.
Ghana on their side will wait for their return matches between both Kenya and Ethiopia following the suspension of Sierra Leone.