“First, we respect our opponents, they are a good team just like we are” These are the words of Harambee Stars defender Eric Ouma referring to Algeria who will be their first opponent in the 2019 African Cup of Nation competition.
Harambee Stars are currently continuing with their training in Cairo after landing early on Wednesday from Paris where they had camped for 19 days.
After brilliant performances in their two friendly matches; against Madagascar and DR Congo, Harambee Stars seems to be in a good condition to tackle their scary opponents, Algeria.
In an exclusive interview, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi maintains that their main aim is to concentrate on their match with Algeria first. The 31-year-old believes that winning their first match will be the driving force to win the remaining group stage matches.
“We’ve had a good performance as a team and we believe that if we can extend the good friendly performance to the game against Algeria, we’ll have team cohesion and end up getting something. Algeria match is more important that the friendlies we had though the latter was important to prepare us for the next match. For me, I’ve concentrated my attention to Algeria match. So Kenyans should come up and support us in the first match,” Said Matasi.
Eric Ouma, on his part, confirmed that the morale in the camp is so amazing and all are ready to showcase their lesson from head coach on Sunday against Migne. Ouma maintained that even though their opponents are a great team, Kenya also has a great team as well. The 22-year-old also mentioned that competition is the only thing that motivates players and keeps them determined.
“We are just waiting for Sunday to show what we have been learning from the coach. First, we respect our opponents because they are a good team and even we are good as well. We need not to fear them. We need to approach them with morale because anything is possible. It doesn’t matter is its Algeria or any other big team, even giants always fall and the only way to defeat a giant is to have strong physicality and mentality,” stated Ouma.
All eyes are waiting to see if the Kenyan side will maintain their positive mentality till Sunday when they meet their opponents, Algeria at exactly 2300hrs.
Harambee Stars AFCON squad
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo
Defenders
Philemon Otieno, Abud Omar, Bernard Ochieng, Musa Mohammed, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu, David Owino, Eric Ouma
Midfielders
Victor Wanyama, Dennis Odhiambo, Erick Johanna, Ayub Timbe, Francis Kahata, Ismael Gonzalez, Ovella Ochieng, Paul Were, Johanna Omollo
Forwards
Masud Juma, Michael Olunga, John Avire