This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
Kenya's Harambee Stars are facing a potentially disastrous start to their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign after the government forced them to take a 16-hour flight to Cairo via Dubai instead of the usual direct four-hour flight from Nairobi.
According to sources, the decision was made by the government, leaving Stars coach Francis Kimanzi fuming.
‘This is unnecessary,’ Kimanzi said. ‘It’s not ideal; preparations are key. We have an option for a direct flight and we should use that. Playing Egypt is not easy and playing them with jet lag and fatigue is worse.’