Charles Thuku
Mixed reactions greeted Harambee Stars elimination from the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament by Tanzania at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.
Kenya, who drew 0-0 in the first and second legs in Dar es salaam and Nairobi respectively, were forced into post-match shoot-outs that the visitors ultimately prevailed 4-1.
Following the result, Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne declared he will stick with the team to the disgust of some fans and football experts who want him gone.
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“I absolutely don’t have an excuse for the defeat and I must say it was one of those dark days in a football pitch. I am under contract and I must see it out instead of giving up. You are already having problems paying me and imagine if you were forced to pay out the duration of my contract if I am sacked now,” said Migne, who is reportedly on a Sh2.5 million monthly salary.
However, a section of fans who spoke to People Sport want Migne sacked for what they call mismanagement of the national team in the form of questionable selection and tactics.
“He (Migne) went to play for a draw in Tanzania when we know they are a team we can beat easily. We expected a change in tactics in the second leg but nothing happened. It was more pain,” said Edward Omondi, a Harambee Stars fan. Former Harambee Stars coach Stanely Okumbi and veteran goalkeeper Francis Onyiso, however, want the French coach given time.
“The current players are talented and need ample time to chalk up the desired results. Above all, the players need to have passion for the game like Tanzania if the team is to make headway,” said Okumbi.
Onyiso said: “The coach (Migne) should not be vilified and I believe he selected some of the best players in the country. He should be given time to propel the team to the required standards.”
It has now emerged that Football Kenya Federation will have to pay Migne close to Sh50 million if they were to sack him now.
A top FKF official, who did not want to be named, revealed to Goal.com that they will have to pay the coach the colossal amount in compensation hence his sentiments on Sunday.
“He [Migne] signed a contract until 2021 and if we fire him today, then we must be ready to pay him over Sh50million,” the source from FKF told Goal.
Asked if they were willing to take such a massive financial hit and sack the coach, the source said: “He has not helped us in any way, we did poorly in Afcon and now we are out of CHAN. We are thinking, we will deal with it.”
Focus now shifts to the upcoming 2021 Afcon qualifiers where Kenya is set to face Egypt, Togo and DR Congo as well as the 2022 World Cup qualifiers where they received a bye in the preliminary round.
Additional information from Goal.com
