Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne has left Kenya Premier League striker Jesse Were out of Kenya’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Harambee Stars squad is drawn in Group C alongside Senegal, Algeria, and East African neighbours Tanzania, and will open the campaign against Algeria on June 23 at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium.
Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne says that the Kenyan footballer who currently plays for Zesco United in the Zambian Super League and with a previous record at Mathare United and Tusker F.C. is not good enough to play for Kenya right now.
I will not slam Migne for not including Jesse Were in his squad because I was alive when Didier Deschamps won world cup without Lacazette who is arguably better than Giroud. Migne knows what is better for Harambee Stars. Let’s support him as he prepares his team for #AFCON2019
— Moses kiarie (@kymoskiarie) May 14, 2019
According to Arsenal fans, Were’s case resembles that of Alexandre Lacazette when he was left out of the France World Cup squad despite fine Arsenal format then.
During the world cup campaign, France manager Didier Deschamps claimed that Alexandre Lacazette must continue performing well at Arsenal.
But clearly making a big impression at the Zambian Super League after a tough season, it still hasn’t proved enough to see Were earn a spot in the Kenyan squad.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s game against Algeria in June-July finals at Cairo, Migne revealed why he has decided against naming the striker in his squad.
“He has had the chance to impress for Kenya but on many occasions he never lives up to the task. He has enjoyed over 26 call-ups but he never scores goals for the team.
“Were might be the leading player currently in the Zambia league but he is yet to carry the form to the national team and all I can assure him is that the door is still open for him, we have not shut it for him.
“He will still play for the team but first of all, he must prove himself outside club duty.”
Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne used club form to dismiss Dennis Oliech’s chances of playing at #AFCON2019. Then he left out Jesse Were despite impressive club form by stating he ‘ain’t good enough for the national team’ pic.twitter.com/O1LAaa4n4j
— David wa Kwallimwa (@kwalimwadavid) May 14, 2019
Despite his great form for club, Zesco United, Jesse Were has not made the Harambee Stars #AFCON2019 provisional squad, nothing surprising though, coach Migné has never liked him for reasons best known to him. pic.twitter.com/sAxnWzPkXT
— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) May 14, 2019
Overall, the Harambee Stars AFCON 2019 provisional is good! no major surprises apart from Jesse Were omission, the team is almost 99% the same as the one Migné used in the qualifiers, my only disappointment is not seeing keeper Saruni in there but there’s always next time.
— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) May 14, 2019