We can still shock Kenya, says Seychelles coach Louis - World Cup 2014

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We can still shock Kenya, says Seychelles coach Louis

11-14-2011

We can still shock Kenya, says Seychelles coach Louis

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Seychelles tactician Jean-Louis Ralph has warned Kenya’s Harambee Stars that they did not come to tour Nairobi but are instead here to overturn the first leg 3-0 defeat and qualify for the 2014 World Cup qualifying Group stage.

Coach Ralph has warned Kenya not to celebrate yet because the two sides have still another 90 minutes to play for on Tuesday and “anything can happen.” The coach is optimistic that his side will overturn the 3-0 deficit suffered in the hands of Kenya and qualify for the World Cup group stage proper. Cafonline.com spoke to Ralph ahead of Tuesday’s (tomorrow) match at Nyayo National Stadium when the team arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Sunday evening.

Cafonline.com: Kenya has the advantage going into the return leg match following their convincing 3-0 win during the first leg encounter and will also be playing at home. What is your team’s chance in Tuesday’s match?

Louis: The game is yet to be won and Kenya should not celebrate yet. I respect them (Kenya) because they played very well in Seychelles but we are planning a different ball game when we play them on Tuesday. We can still get the three goals or even score four and advance. Football is won after at the final whistle and that is why I still have strong believe that we are in Nairobi to win…not to tour the country’s tourist destinations.

Cafonline.com: What was your team’s main undoing during the first leg match and what are your tactical changes that we should expect on Tuesday?

Louis: We played extremely well but were caught napping during the decisive moments. We conceded the first goal from a set piece and it is something that we had worked on before the match. We also gave away the ball in the midfield to easily allowing Kenya to punish us. My defence could also not cope up with the speed of striker Dennis Oliech, who scored a brace from similar situations. We will have to be alert defensively and also play as a unit. We are the team under pressure to deliver now because we have to score goals and that is why we will be playing an attack minded game on Tuesday.

Cafonline.com: Do you believe that three days are enough for you to prepare the team for the return leg clash?

Louis: At some point yes…yes because as a coach I fancy playing back-to-back matches and we are strictly focused to beat Kenya. I don’t want to underrate them (Kenya). We are the underdogs going into the match. They are a good side with attack minded players and that is why my defenders will be required to be calm. We don’t want to concede goals like we did in the first leg encounter. We will play to keep the ball, attack and also defend.

Cafonline.com: What is your take on the Kenya team?

Louis: Kenya has a good side. They are a very high-quality side going forward and also have a well build midfield. We need to contain them from the midfield because that is where their game is built from. I liked the way they did the defending also because we created a few chances in Seychelles but their defenders were up to the task. Let’s wait and see what will be the outcome in the second match.

Cafonline.com: Are you fine with the weather situation?

Louis: Yes. We played under sunny conditions in Seychelles and I have realized here that it is windy. Our condition back home was not favorable because it tired some of my players. At least we can now play our game properly. My only worry is the condition of the pitch but we definitely can’t change that now.

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