Raila Odinga has urged Harambee Stars not to give up but offer a better fight in their next two matches against Tanzania and Senegal in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations group C campaign.
Addressing the players when he visited them in their Cairo base after the opening loss to Algeria, Odinga said it was not always winning but putting in a personal best effort.
“We still have a chance to right the wrongs in our match against Tanzania and I am confident that we can do it,” said the former Prime Minister.
“I want to congratulate you for putting in a good fight especially in the second half, despite not having got the result we all anticipated.”
A goal apiece by Baghdad Bounedjah and Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria a 2-0 win over Kenya in their opening match and there is now all to play for in the remaining Group C matches against Tanzania and Senegal on 27 June and 1 July 2019.
The Stars resumed training on Monday evening ahead of their East African derby against Tanzania.
Coach Sébastien Migné maintains there were many positives to be picked from an improved second half performance and thus the team has everything to fight for.
“Our performance in the first half was not the best. We improved in the second half after making some changes and I was impressed,” said coach Migné, expressing optimism over the fitness of defender Joash Onyango before the conclusion of the group campaign.
“Joash is not ready yet for Tanzania but hopefully we will have him in our final Group match.”
