Okumbi: Kenya won’t relent against Congo

Despite standing no chance of qualifying to the 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon, Kenya coach Stanley Okumbi says the team will not put their feet off the gas pedals on Sunday when they host Congo in the penultimate qualifier at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

Kenya is perched at the bottom of Group E with a single point, picked from their opening draw with Congo while the latter are second with six points, just one shy of leaders Guinea Bissau. Kenya has lost thrice in the qualifiers, 2-1 at home to Zambia and identical 1-0 losses to Guinea Bissau home and away.

Okumbi who was recently appointed as head coach is still winless in four matches he has been in charge.

“Kenyans are on my neck because at the moment, we are not performing. We will go into that match looking for a win and each of us is working hard to get that three points. It is important for our pride and also for our rankings,” Okumbi said.

The coach believes the team is in top spirit to win against Congo but says they must improve on their finishing. The Harambee Stars have been boosted by the arrival of Sweden based striker Michael Olunga who missed both of Kenya’s warm-up matches against Tanzania and Sudan.

Olunga is expected to partner Zambia based Jesse Were in attack with the latter enjoying good form having so far netted 12 goals for his Ndola based club Zesco United.

“I think our biggest problem has been the lack of goals that is why everyone is saying we are not playing well. Once we start scoring, then we will be better. I have top strikers in my team but I don’t understand why they can’t hit the target for the national team. I am hoping for better against Congo,” Okumbi added.

The Congolese are already in Nairobi and are expected to hold their first training session on Friday afternoon before winding up their preps with a session on Saturday ahead of match day.

Congo will need to win by a good margin and hope in the worst, Guinea Bissau and Zambia play to a draw for them to earn a chance at the top.

The group might still remain open heading into the final round of matches depending on the results posted this weekend.