Muhiddin backs McCarthy's youthful players to star in CHAN

Former Harambee Stars coach Twahir Muhiddin has backed the youthful Kenyan team to shine in the upcoming Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) singling out Police FC forward Mohammed Bajaber.

Speaking after the final squad was named by Coach Benni McCarthy, Muhiddin said the striker exhibited top quality in last season’s Kenyan Premier League, and is ripe for the big stage.

According to the veteran coach, McCarthy’s selection shows confidence with the budding players, who have an opportunity of starring for the team if they seize the chance properly.

Such is Bajaber, 22, who also showed glimpses of prowess when he featured for Harambee Stars earlier in the year against Gambia and Gabon, scoring a spectacular goal on his debut match.

“The player is very talented only that we haven't seen him play full time for the national team only the coach knows how he is planning to use him but when it comes to club football we have seen what he can deliver so I am backing him to shine because he is tactically gifted,” said the former Bandari FC coach.

Among other youthful players in the squad are Shabana’s Austin Odongo, Manzur Suleiman, Ben Stanley, Ryan Ogam, Alphonce Omija among others.

Kenya will begin their campaign against DR Congo at the Moi sports Centre Kasarani on 3rd August, before facing Angola, Morocco and Zambia respectively in other group matches.

Muhiddin coach has rallied the team not to be cowed by their opponents, urging them to utilize the home advantage.

“The gap between the big team and the so called small teams has really narrowed in the recent times.  A football result is determined after 90 minutes and anything can happen. What the team needs to do is take one game at a time treating every game as a final,” observed the veteran tactician.