Friday, March 25, 2011

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27.03. (Sun) 00:00 USA - Argentina

DID YOU KNOW?

* The United States have become draw specialists on home soil, drawing three of their last four encounters against Poland, Colombia and Chile.

* The solitary win came in Cape Town, beating South Africa 1-0 thanks to a Juan Agudelo strike.

* Bob Bradley's side have had mixed fortunes against South American teams since the World Cup. Draws against Chile and Colombia were preceded by a thumping defeat at the hands of a Neymar and Ganso inspired Brazil in August 2010.

* The connection between Saturday's rivals could become even closer in the next few weeks. Eccentric Argentine coach and ex-Chile boss Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly considering the chance to become a technical director of USA above current trainer Bradley.

* The Yankees are currently looking forward to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts in little over two months. Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe will be the first round opposition on home soil.

* Argentina have tasted defeat just once since Sergio Batista took over, in a tight loss to Copa America rivals Japan.

* Apart from that blip the Albiceleste have won all their games, including impressive victories over Spain (4-1), Brazil (1-0) and Portugal.

* Argentina can thank Saturday's rivals for training two of their hottest prospects. Michael Hoyos and Rogelio Funes Mori both grew up in the USA, but opted for the blue and white stripes after moving to Argentina as teenagers.

* The current squad isn't exactly short of youthful exuberance. 11 of the 24 players included by Batista are 24 years of age or under, while only nine can boast over 10 caps for the full side.

* The Seleccion have just three months to prepare before hosting the Copa America during July, where they will meet Colombia, Japan and Bolivia in Group A.

LAST MEETING

June 8, 2008: USA 0-0 Argentina

78,000 people packed Giants Stadium for the chance to see Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and co. in action against the local heroes almost three years ago, but the game turned out to be a letdown as the two teams fought to a goalless draw. Argentina were coming from an impressive 4-1 drubbing of Mexico, but failed to shine in the USA and had precious few chances. The game finished with a certain needle, and both the Yankees' Pablo Mastroeni and current Albiceleste captain Javier Mascherano saw red in the encounter.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

USA: Howard; Spector, Onyewu, DeMerit, Bocanegra; Bradley, Jones, Edu; Dempsey, Donovan, Altidore

Argentina: Andujar; Zanetti, Milito, Burdisso, Rojo; Mascherano, Cambiasso, Banega; Lavezzi, Messi, Di Maria

Prediction
United States 1-2 Argentina  

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26.03. (Sat) 21:45 Portugal - Chile

DID YOU KNOW?


* Portugal are currently second in Group H of the Euro 2012 qualifying zone with seven points from four matches, two fewer than leaders Norway, who have played a game fewer.

* The Seleccao lost their last international match. It was a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in a friendly in Geneva. Prior to that fixture, though, they had destroyed European and world champions Spain 4-0 in Lisbon.

* Portugal coach Paulo Bento’s first game in charge of the national team ended in a 3-1 defeat of Denmark in Porto in the Euro qualifiers.

* Chile have not lost in their four international matches, having won three and drawn one. Can they make it five unbeaten?

* Claudio Borghi replaced Marcelo Bielsa as the coach of la Roja last month. The game against Portugal will be the 46-year-old’s first match in charge.

* The last time Chile faced a team from Iberia was during the World Cup when they took on Spain. However, they lost 2-1.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Portugal: Eduardo; J. Pereira, Rolando, Alves, Coentrao; Martins, Meireles, Moutinho; Nani, Almeida, Quaresma

Chile: Bravo; Jara, Ponce, Rojas; Isla, Medel, Arturo Vidal; Beausejour, Matias Fernandez, Sanchez; Pinilla

Prediction
Portugal appear to have found their feet under Bento and playing at home will give them an advantage. Chile are an attacking side and they will test Portugal’s defence. A high-scoring draw could be the final outcome.

Portugal 2-2 Chile

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26.03. (Sat) 20:00 Germany - Kazakhstan

DID YOU KNOW?

* Germany have won all four of their Euro qualifiers thus far, averaging a three-goal margin of victory.

* Dortmund starlet Sven Bender could earn his first senior cap.

* Should he appear, Miroslav Klose will move to within one cap of Juergen Klinsmann, who is second in Germany's list of most frequently used internationals.

* Klose is nine goals short of equalling Gerd Mueller's record for goals in a Germany shirt.

* Lukas Podolski is 17 strikes short of Klose; his next goal will see him pass Michael Ballack and draw level with Uwe Seeler for sixth place on Germany's scoring list.

* Kazakhstan have yet to score in Euro qualifying.

* Kazakh club Aktobe lost 8-3 on aggregate against Werder Bremen in a 2009 Europa League play-off.

* Last October's match was the first ever meeting between Kazakhstan and Germany.

* Heinrich Schmidtgal, a Kazakh-born midfielder of German heritage, earned his third international cap against the country of his forefathers in October. He will miss Saturday's match with a knee injury.

* Germany native Bernd Storck worked as an assistant coach at Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg and Dortmund before taking the helm at Kazakhstan in 2008.

LAST MEETING

Germany
October 12, 2010: Kazakhstan 0-3 Germany

Germany extended their perfect run in qualifying with a comfortable win on foreign soil. Kazakhstan kept a clean sheet during the first half, but Miroslav Klose (48'), Mario Gomez (76') and Lukas Podolski (85') each netted for Germany after the break.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Germany: Neuer - Lahm, Mertesacker, Hummels, Aogo - Khedira, Schweinsteiger - Mueller, Oezil, Podolski - Klose

Kazakhstan: Sidelnikov - Kislitsyn Abdulin, Kirov, Rozhkov - Zhumaskaliyev, Averchenko, Karpovich, Nurgaliyev - Ostapenko - Khizhnichenko

Prediction

Germany 5-0 Kazakhstan 

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26.03. (Sat) 16:00 Wales - England

DID YOU KNOW?

* Wales have not qualified for the European Championships in 35 years, their only appearance, when they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Yugoslavia.

* They are aiming to qualify for the third major championship in their history. The closest they have come to qualification in recent years was in 2004 when a defeat to Russia in the European Championships play-off saw them miss out on qualification after finishing second in their group behind Italy.

* Wales have only won three games out of 12 meetings against England and their last victory came 27 years ago.

* This game will be manager Gary Speed’s second in charge of the national side, but his first competitive match since taking over from John Toshack in December 2010. He will be hoping the game goes better than his first, which was a 3-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland in the Nations Cup in February.

* Wales star player Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury, could have been part of the England set-up as he qualifies to play for them through his English grandmother.

* England have an excellent record against the home nations, having won 68 times in 144 games against Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Against Wales they are particularly dominant, winning seven of their 12 encounters and they are unbeaten against them in their last two matches.

* This will be Fabio Capello’s first match against a home nation since he became England manager in December 2007.

* England have only played one game away from home during this qualifying campaign, and it ended in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in September. Goals from Darren Bent, Adam Johnson and Wayne Rooney secured victory in Basel.

* The Three Lions are currently in second place in Group G and a victory in this match could move them above leaders Montenegro on goal difference.

* Matt Jarvis could win his first cap after being called up by Fabio Capello. If he does play he will be the first Wolves player since Steve Bull in 1990 to play for the national team.

LAST MEETING

September 3, 2005: Wales 0-1 England

England secured an important victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium thanks to a second-half strike from Joe Cole, a victory that kept them on course for qualification to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Wales struggled to apply much pressure on the England defence in front of an expectant 70,000 crowd, with only John Hartson really testing Paul Robinson.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Wales: Hennessey; Eardley, J Collins, Williams, Gunter; Crofts, Ramsey, Ledley, Vaughan; Bellamy, Morison.

England: Hart; Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole; Lennon, Lampard, Wilshere, Young; Carroll, Rooney.

Prediction
The loss of Gareth Bale so close to the match will hurt Wales and despite some of the Welsh players being in good form, England should have too much for them to seal an away victory and a return to the top of Group G.
Wales 1-3 England

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26.03. (Sat) 19:05 South Africa - Egypt

Targeting a win and another clean sheet

Enjoying the view from the top of Group G, South Africa will go into Saturday’s clash against bottom placed Egypt in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game knowing that despite the political unrest that destabilized the team in the past few months, the Pharaohs are still a force to be reckoned with.

Now ranked 46th in the world and 9th in Africa, Bafana Bafana are slowing but surely reclaiming their pride and respect on the continent under the tutelage of coach Pitso Mosimane. The last time these two sides met was back in 2006 and Egypt came out 1-0 victors in a match played in London.

This is a different ball game all together, as Bafana are in terrific form and yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers while the Pharaohs are struggling to find their footing, which has seen them slip to 35th spot in the FIFA rankings.

Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane seems to have done his homework ahead to this titanic clash and he has indicated that they will not be taking the challenge of facing the Pharaohs lightly.

“We are playing at home and our main aim is to get three points. We should not underestimate our opponents because of the current standings on the table and the fact that their country has been unstable,” Mosimane said when he named his squad last week during a press conference.

Regaining lost pride

Suprisingly, Egypt are rock bottom of Group G without a single win, recovering from political instability and still licking their wounds after their disappointing 1-1 draw against minnows Niger. Now Egypt are faced with a stern test of character as an on form South Africa stands in their way.

The North Africans may have made stuttering start to their qualifying campaign, but their pedigree as seven-time winners of the AFCON – including the last three tournaments in 2006, 2008 and 2010, is not in question. This record makes them a formidable side who are not to be underestimated and the South African coach is fully aware of their opponents’ capabilities.

“In fact, they will be more dangerous as they believe this is the time to win and get their campaign back on track. Many think the Egyptian team has been idle; actually, they have been working hard at training. They have played six more matches than us in preparing for this clash, so we need to be extra careful in our approach,” Mosimane said.

This game has a great deal at stake as Egypt will be looking to defend their pride as well as earn maximum points to get their campaign right back in track. On the other hand Bafana will want to consolidate their top spot and inch closer to an AFCON appearance next year.


TEAM NEWS

South Africa
Mosimane has had some injury headaches to deal with, as left-back Mzivukile Tom was forced to withdraw from the squad, while the likes of Ruben Cloete (right groin), Siphiwe Tshabalala (right hamstring) and captain Steven Pienaar (bilateral groin injury) have also been struggling with knocks.
The left-back position has been the coach’s biggest worry after Tshepo Masilela and Tom were ruled out with injuries while Cloete is also struggling. This has seen the coach asking the right footed Siboniso Gaxa to fill the void in training and he is most likely to start in that position during the game.
However following the last training session in Rustenburg on Thursday morning, team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani has given the team a relatively clean bill of health.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Defenders: Ruben Cloete (Orlando Pirates), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse, Belgium), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Bongani Khumalo (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows).
Midfielders: Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Sifiso Myeni (Bidvest Wits), Steven Pienaar (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Tlou Segolela (Orlando Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs).
Forwards: Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Panserraikos, Greece), Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town), Davide Somma (Leeds United, England).

Egypt
Coach Shehata has been under fire for his inclusion of Borussia Dortmund forward Mohamed Zidan and Sunderland defender Ahmed Elmohamady in his 23-man squad.
Mohamed Zidan has reportedly just recovered from a broken rib, but he is set to spearhead Egypt’s attack after injuries ruled out Emad Meteb and Amr Zaki. Al Ahly forward Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’ was also included despite hurting his jaw in Al-Ahly’s 2-0 home victory over SuperSport United in the CAF Champions League match on Friday. The coach says criticism is something he has learned to live with.
“I’m used to being criticised and blamed. I’ve been through it all before. All it does is increase my determination, because I really am very confident in my players. They’ve always come good when called upon.” He told Fifa.com.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al-Merreikh, Sudan), Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhy (Ismaily).
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad (all Al-Ahly), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland, England), Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaily), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Mohamed Naguib (Ittihad El-Shorta).
Midfielders: Hosni Abd-Rabou, Amr El-Sulaya (both Ismaily), Mohamed Shawky, Hossam Ghaly, Mohamed Abou-Treika (all Al-Ahly), Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Shikabala (both Zamalek), Walid Soliman (ENPPI).
Strikers: Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Ahmed Ali (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Al-Sayed Hamdy (Petrojet), Mohamed Gedo (Al-Ahly), Ahmed Belal (Smouha).

PREDICTION

This is going to a tough game with South Africa on form and Egypt looking to regain their pride. The head-to-head statistics show that two giants are tied on 4 wins each after 8 meetings, but home advantage could well work in favour of Bafana against a very vulnerable Pharaohs side.

South Africa 2-1 Egypt

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26.03. (Sat) 17:00 Senegal - Cameroon

Maintaining a flawless campaign

Senegal are hyper-motivated at the moment. Few national teams on the continent exude the same level of confidence and determination the Teranga Lions display ahead of their face-off against historic football giants Cameroon. The reasons for this state of mind can’t be far from recent successes the Dakar-based team has reaped across the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers and international friendlies. Senegal is back!

Senegal sports officials took their time to reconstruct this new generation from the debris and lessons left behind by the awesome 2002 World Cup bunch. It was first the question of national pride and then the need to hire a hand that would labour out of sacrifice and not necessarily money, hence the choice of indigenous coach Amara Traore stood out.

The 45-year-old former Senegal international cool-headedly reorganized the outfit with no haste of winning matches or trophies, but to lay a foundation that would serve a nation. Gradually, a once-unattractive team began to pull in professionals who were both home-based and European-based. “The team and results first before personal humour and sentiments”, Traore ceaselessly inculcated into his new players, which seems to be paying off today.

Senegal have been brilliant in the first and second rounds of the AFCON qualifiers, beating DR Congo at home 4-2, and crushing Mauritius 7-0 in Dakar to sit atop Group E with 6 whole points ahead of close rivals Cameroon (4pts). The Teranga Lions nurse the ambition to continue to dominate the group by edging Cameroon this time as well in their backyard Sedar Senghor Stadium – the Lions from Cameroon are strong without doubt, but are currently away from their den and may feel vulnerable.

Coach Traore is conscious of the rich experience Cameroon can boast of, as well as their capability in defence of breaking up an almost finished work, but he counts mostly on a collective whole, where the midfield and attacking line almost seemingly merge while at work, to dismantle any resistance. It has worked many times in Senegal’s favour, but will it this time?

Now or never

Losing to Senegal is Cameroon’s greatest nightmare at the moment. It would almost announce the day of doom for Cameroon football. It would demoralize the players, the fans and the FA officials.

But worse still, it would endanger any chance of reaching the finals of the 2012 African Cup of Nations, to be held in their Central African sub-region. Imagine Cameroon not showing up at the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012. They would never forgive themselves; hence the Dakar battle is turning to a do or die affair mostly for the Cameroonians.

Team captain Samuel Eto’o told France Football that his side will stage a rigorous outing to slow down Senegal’s momentum and re-launch a hopeful campaign, after Cameroon received a 1-1 shock in the second round while playing host to DR Congo in Garoua.

Coach Javier Clemente came under wide criticism in Cameroon after he published the roster for the forthcoming encounter. The Spanish coach had to readjust his list to include some players earlier ignored, such as Tottenham’s defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto, without convincing many though. The team also lacks the oneness that the Senegalese are enjoying in their set up.

Back home, many fans and pundits are not enthusiastic about tomorrow’s match. Perhaps they are wary of how well the Indomitable Lions are prepared to confront a solid Senegal side. Coach Clemente is therefore left to carry his cross and bear the responsibility of whatever spills out of the Dakar meeting.

Any Cameroon-Senegal clash is always a cracker, with Cameroon mostly having the upper hand, but hosted this time in Dakar it may not be easy for the Central Africans, even if they seem equal to the task.

TEAM NEWS

Senegal
The Senegal team is blessed with a full house. The team had its second open training session on Tuesday before 5000 fans at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium where the match will hold. Boukhary Drame, Issiar Dia, Demba Ba did not train with the group. They were undergoing osteopathic treatment, while Demba Cisse Papiss individually undertook fitness exercises.
The last member of the 23, Marseille’s Souleymane Diawara finally arrived on Thursday.
At a press conference on Thursday, team captain Mamadou Niang assured his side had a “bullet attacking line, and a solid defensive midfield” to counter the Cameroonians.
SQUAD
Goalkeeper: Khadim Ndiaye (Linguère), Bouna Coundoul (Red Bull New York, USA).
Defenders : Lamine Sané (Bordeaux, France), Jacques Faty (Sochaux, France), Kader Mangane (Rennes, France), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille, France), Pape Diakhaté (Lyon, France), Moustapha Bayal Sall (Saint-Etienne, France), Omar Daf (Brest, France), Boukary Dramé (Sochaux, France).
Midfielders: Mikaël Tavares (Middlesbrough, England), Rémi Gomis (VA, France), Guirane Ndaw (Real Saragosse, Spain), Mohamed Diamé (Wigan, England).
Forwards: Issiar Dia (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Ndiaye Dème Ndiaye (Arles-Avignon, France), Souleymane Camara (Montpellier, France), Papis Demba Cissé (Fribourg, Germany), Moussa Sow (Lille, France), Diomansy Kamara (Fulham, England), Mame Birame Diouf (Blackburn Rovers, England), Mamadou Niang (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), Demba Ba (West Ham, England), Dame Ndoye (Fc Copenhague, Danmark).

Cameroon
Schalke 04 refused to release their midfielder Joel Matip who was sent a late invitation to join the Cameroon camp. Georges Nganyuo Elokobi of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham’s Benoît Assou Ekotto got permission from their clubs to make the Dakar trip.
The Senegal-Cameroon match will take place under tight police security. Senegal authorities have deployed 1000 policemen within and around the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium. A special escort for Cameroon's 21 supporter buses has also been arranged, to avoid trouble with Senegal fans.
SQUAD
Goalkeeper: Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Nantes, France), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol Barcelone, Spain), Charles Itandje (Atromitos, Greece).
Defenders : Sébastien Bassong (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Gaëtan Bong (Valenciennes, France), Benoît Angbwa (Anzhi, Makhachkala, Russia), Jean-Patrick Abouna Ndzana (Astres Douala, Cameroon), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco, France), Henri Bedimo (Lens, France), Stéphane Mbia (Marseille, France), Benoît Assou Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur), Georges Nganyuo Elokobi (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Midfielders : Matthew Mbuta Andongcho (Chrystal Palace, U.S.A), Enoh Eyong Takang (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Landry Nguemo (Nancy, France), André Ndamé Ndamé (Coton Sport, Cameroon), Julien Momasso (Astres Douala, Cameroon), Aurélien Chedjou (Lille, France), Georges Mandjeck (Rennes, France), Benjamin Moukandjo (Monaco, France).
Forwards: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Hamburg SV, Germany), Somen A Tchoyi (West Bromwich Albion, England), Achille Webo (Majorque, Spain), Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan, Italy), Vincent Aboubakar (Valenciennes, France).

PREDICTION

Statistically, Senegal have a better chance of winning, but Cameroon are most times unpredictable in tight encounters, such as when they flew down to Cote d’Ivoire during the penultimate round of the 2006 World Cup qualifying and frustrated the Elephants 3-2.

Senegal 3-1 Cameroon

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26.03. (Sat) 12:00 Kenya - Angola

Harambee Stars need to win to resuscitate their qualifying hopes

Hosting the Palancas Negras at home will give Harambee Stars a huge advantage, especially now that they badly need a win to resuscitate their chances of qualifying for the 2012 AFCON competition. Angola are no strangers to Kenya, as the two met in 2007 and the Stars emerged winners courtesy of goals from Patrick Oboya and Dennis Oliech. Manucho scored one for Angola and it ended 2-1.

But now it will be different because at the time Angola had already qualified for the 2008 finals held in Ghana and were relaxed with the result meaning little to them. Kenya have to marshal all their technical ability and emulate their neighbours Uganda, who shocked the 2006 World Cup representatives 3-0 last year.

Stars coach Zedekiah Otieno has summoned a galaxy of stars including goalkeeper Arnold Origi, midfield linchpin MacDonald Mariga, ace striker Dennis Oliech and youngster George Odhiambo to carry the hopes of the East African nation in this weekend’s duel.

Stars lie bottom of Group J with a solitary point earned in their barren home draw with leaders Uganda. Only a win will salvage their chances of qualifying for the showpiece event in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year. That can only happen if the players break the yoke of not scoring in the last 180 minutes of the 2012 Africa qualifying campaign and also take watertight care of their defence.

Once bitten, twice shy

Angola have lost in the past when they came visiting Nairobi. Furthermore, Uganda possibly revealed the secret on how to out sprint the plucky Black Antelopes. But they will of course leave nothing to chance this time around.

Angola coach Lito Vidigal knows too well that East Africa is a difficult hunting ground for the Palancas Negras, but their impressive showing in the CHAN tournament in Sudan will boost their confidence. The coach already understands that, "We are returning to East Africa after winning our last match against Guinea Bissau in Luanda and after making history in Sudan." At a press conference he added, "Our approach will be the same. We shall go into this match with a strong mindset, being positive of victory."

Angola reached the CHAN final in Sudan where they lost 3-0 to Tunisia recently. This was a huge achievement for Lito, 41, who was on his first assignment with the national squad after being appointed in January.

To replicate the outstanding performance, the tactician has already summoned experienced players like Macanga, Mateus Galiano, Adérito de Carvalho "Dedé", Gilberto, and Manucho Gonçalves among others. A win will set in motion another era of success under the youthful tactician.

FORM GUIDE

Kenya
February 9: South Africa 2-0 Kenya
January 17: DR Congo 1-0 Kenya
January 14: Egypt 5-1 Kenya

Angola
January 4: South Arabia 0-0 Angola
January 2: Iran 1-0 Angola
December 12, 2010: United Arab Emirates 0-1 Angola

TEAM NEWS

Kenya
The Stars will miss the services of striker/winger Patrick Oboya who was denied permission to travel to Nairobi by his club FC Trinec.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Moss FK, Norway) & Francis Ochieng (Ulinzi Stars).
Defenders: Joseph Shikokoti (Tusker FC), Edgar Ochieng, James Situma, Abdulatif Omar (all Sofapaka), Dennis Odhiambo (Tuks FC, South Africa), & Lloyd Wahome (Mathare United)
Midfielders: MacDonald Mariga (Inter Milan, Italy), Johanna Omolo (Fola Esch, Luxembourg), Collins Okoth, (Gor Mahia), Jamal Mohammed, Paul Were (Tusker), Joseph Nyaga (Rangers) & Victor Mugabe (Belgium)
Strikers: Dennis Oliech (AJ Auxerre, France), George Blackberry Odhiambo (Randers, Denmark), Bob Mugalia (Sofapaka) & Stephen Waruru (Ulinzi).

Angola
Angola's experienced midfielder Andre Makamba has returned to the national team after missing out on action over the past year.
Squad:
Jose Pierre Vunguidica (Kickers Offenbach of Germany), Lama, Chara, Job, Love, Miguel, Santana (Petro de Luanda), Wilson, Kali, Mingo Bille, Dany Massunguna, Amaro, Joao Martins(1º de Agosto), Osorio and Kialunda (Recreativo da Caala), Fabrício (Interclube), Mateus (Nacional da Madeira), Dede (Olympiakos Nikosias FC Chipre), Gilberto (Lierse of Belgium), Manucho (Manisport of Turkey), Dominiqui Kivuvu (CFR 1907 CLUJ of Romenia), Djalma (Maritimo of Portugal), Gerald (Curitiba of Brazil) and Zwela (FC Kuban of Russia) Russia.

Players to watch

Kenya

Dennis Oliech is a tricky player to play against. The speedy striker has yet to open his account in the 2012 campaign, but he has vowed to score tomorrow.

Angola

Manucho Goncalves may have not performed to expectation in the 2010 Nations Cup at home, but the lethal striker will likely be a handful for the Kenyan defence.

PREDICTION

The match means so much to the two sides, and considering the fact that both have experienced players in their ranks, a tie is the most probable outcome.

Kenya 2-2 Angola