Stars Frustrated By Hosts Angola Ahead of Big Tie

Charles Nyende

1 June 2011

Nairobi — Angola started the psychological war on Harambee Stars the moment they landed in Luanda on Tuesday, delaying the visitors for almost three hours according head of delegation Hussein Swaleh.

The team was also unable to secure a training ground until a good 24 hours after checking into their team hotel in central Luanda.

“Despite communications and getting assurances we will get visas at the airport we had to literally create a scene on arrival before we were attended to,” Swaleh said.

“Nobody wanted to give us transport and a training venue. We eventually looked for one and secured it today at $1,500 (about Sh126,000) an hour before the Angolan football federation finally got one for us,” an exasperated Swaleh said on phone from Luanda.

“We have had to forcefully demand for these services. We have had very bad treatment. Our hotel is substandard but we will persevere until we play,” he said.

Kenya face the Pelancas Negras on Sunday from 4 pm (6 pm Kenyan time) in a Group “J” tie at the 11 de Novembro Stadium, venue for the final of the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Sports Commissioner Gordon Olouch, who travelled with the team, said all was being done to ensure that Harambee Stars were as comfortable as possible.

In Nairobi, Tusker left it until late to clinch the Madaraka Cup with a 1-0 victory against Rangers at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.

Paul Were beat the off side trap to give the brewers the all important item in injury time after combining with strike partner Dennis Mukaisi in this low key affair.

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