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), FabrÃcio (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
