This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Published on September 7, 2019, Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi is confident ahead of the team's international friendly match against Uganda Cranes on Sunday.
Despite missing key players, including skipper Victor Wanyama, defenders Joseph Okumu and Abud Omar, and midfielder Johanna Omolo, Kimanzi is optimistic about his team's chances.
"There are no friendly matches in the national team – every game is important at this stage and I want the players to give this game their all," Kimanzi said.
The team held its final training session at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday morning, and Kimanzi is satisfied with the work they have put in so far.
"We have had just five training sessions together, but we can never have enough time with the national team so it is always a race against time to ensure the team is at the level you would wish to be," Kimanzi said.
Striker Jesse Were has made some progress on his hamstring injury and did light training and stretching with the team, but he will not be part of the squad that takes on Cranes on Sunday.
However, Kimanzi has insisted that Were will be part of the squad that will take on Libya and Mozambique next month.
This will be Kimanzi's first match as head coach since he took over from Frenchman Sebastien Migne, who was axed last month.
Uganda, meanwhile, are expected to hold their final training session at the match venue on Saturday afternoon.
The match kicks off at 4pm, with gate charges going for Sh200.
