Nation Plays Eritrea Fixture Tomorrow

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

30 April 2011

THE Kenya- Eritrea Under-23 All Africa Games second leg football qualifier will now be played tomorrow. The match was moved at the request of the African Football Confederation (CAF) after Eritrea threatened to boycott it if it was moved from its original date.

Football Kenya Limited’s technical chairman Hussein Swaleh said the Eritreans had wanted the match to be played on Sunday owing to the difficulty of finding a flight to Nairobi from Asmara. “We have spoken with CAF and they have requested that we move the match to Sunday (tomorrow) to give Eritrea time to find a flight to Nairobi and we have accepted the request. They did the same thing for us in Eritrea and the match will now be played on Sunday (tomorrow) if they can make it to Nairobi.” Swaleh said.

Swaleh hoped the team would come to Nairobi to honour the fixture instead of giving Kenya the walkover. “We are doing everything we can to ensure the Eritreans come for the game on Sunday even if it means pushing it by one day so I hope they come for the match,” he said.

The official refuted claims they had given up on the Kenya team in the aftermath of the defeat to Eritrea in the first leg. “We are doing everything possible to make sure the team is comfortable we have moved the team to Nyayo stadium to train for the game. So we can’t have been neglecting them, he said.

Swaleh noted the preparations for the first leg had been poor. “As FKL we are concerned. The preparations were poor and something had to be done. We changed the coach first by allowing Ezekiel Akwana to take charge of the team,” Swaleh said.

Meanwhile week six of Kenya’s premier U-17 tournament the Copa Coca Cola takes place in Eastlands, Uasin Gishu and Siaya Counties today as the race for spots in the provincial finals intensifies.

Makongeni grounds will host the Eastlands games to be kicked off by Reuben FC Group “A” rivals Peter Kibukosya, while Kamukunji Sports Centre face Makadara Sports. In girls matches, Our Lady of Mercy face New Jogoo Road while Kasarani Academy take on Mukuru Talents.

In Group “B”, the boys of Ofafa Jericho will be up against Eastleigh High while Embakasi Youth Centre face Aquinas High. Muchuri play Anointed Christian Schools in Group “C” while Kayole Secondary School face Ruaraka Secondary School. In Group “D”, Utawala Secondary School face off with Njiru Football, while Kasarani Youth lock horns with Kamukunji Secondary.

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