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Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno has identified a key thing that the current team is missing after their disappointing 1-1 draw against Burundi on Friday.
Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno has questioned a big attribute about the current squad that he thinks is missing big time following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Burundi on Friday.
The match, held at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi, saw the Harambee Stars struggling to break down a determined Burundi side, ultimately securing only a single point from the game.
This result leaves Kenya facing a daunting challenge ahead of their next match against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, where a victory is crucial to keep their qualification hopes alive.
While Otieno believes the technical bench, led by Engin Firat, should be held responsible for the failure to hold on to their lead, he also emphasises the current players lack a sense of unity and leadership essential for overcoming challenging situations.
“I will take it back to the players, leave alone the technical bench, because there are some things which are not working,” Otieno said in his post-match analysis for KBC.
“At what point are we seeing the players coming together and saying, ‘this is our country’. We can do better. It is just a matter of, I am playing in my own position, I am okay, and in a comfort zone."
Otieno believes that while it is common to blame the technical bench, the players must take responsibility and seize the moment.
“Sometimes, we blame the technical bench, but the players must also say, ‘this is our time’. There is nothing like playing around because this is the only chance we are going to have. So and so, there is someone coming on your side," he added.
He insists that introspection within the team is necessary before pointing fingers at the technical staff.
“Before we take the problems to the technical bench, we need to look at ourselves. We need to ask ourselves, ‘what is going on here?’," said the veteran defender.
“By the time we are getting to the technical bench, we can try and solve as many problems as possible."
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Otieno has called for a collective effort and a stronger sense of patriotism as Kenya prepares for their crucial match against Ivory Coast.
“As Kenyans, we need to rally up together. The next game is not going to be easy. We need to beat these ‘minor’ teams to stand a better chance. And we also need to play at home. We need to be playing in Kenya," said Otieno.
The former captain's remarks highlight the need for the Harambee Stars to unite and display greater leadership and commitment on the field if they hope to secure their spot in the upcoming qualifications.
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