Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Dun Okinyo
4 August 2011
AFC Leopards striker Mike Barasa is hopeful of getting a permanent place in the national team after he was recalled to Harambee Stars ahead of next week’s clash against Botswana. The striker, who has scored goals in four games for the former league giants, has been rewarded with a place in Zedekiah Otieno’s side named on Tuesday.
Harambee Stars are expected to depart on Tuesday for the Gaborone friendly. Barasa’s call up comes at a time when Otieno is scratching his head in a bid to come up with formula that will see his side score goals in the remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea Bissau and Uganda. “It is an honour to represent my country and I can’t wait to train with Harambee Stars before next week’s friendly,” said Barasa at the Leopards’ training base at State House grounds.
Barasa last played for the national team in the 2009 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda, and even though he has always featured in Harambee Stars provisional squads, he believes this is his time to make his place permanent. “Like all players, I am ready to fight for a place in the team. I have worked hard at club level and I hope to do the same with Harambee Stars. I want to cement my place in the squad and I know it’s possible and I am sure I will do it,” he said.
He, however, admitted that this is not going to be easy as he will have to work harder and impress the coaching staff and squad, with his overall contribution in training.The former Simba and Ulinzi forward is aware of the challenge ahead but exuded confidence that he is upto the challenge. “With the likes of Dennis Oliech, Bob Mugalia and Jerry Santos in the team’s forward line up, it will require a lot of hard work for me to get a permanent place,” he admitted. “To be honest it will be difficult with all these strikers in the team but I believe with hard work and belief, all will be fine. Obviously, the first thing you want to do is play and then if you get the chance hopefully score a goal. If I get a chance I’ll put it away, but we’ll see what happens. I am looking forward to good performance,” he said.
On his performance at AFC, Baraza said he wants to keep improving as he looks to build on his impressive debut season with the club. “I want to keep improving. If I score goals, it’s for the team since football is about team effort.”
Baraza has won an army of new fans and admirers following his prolific performance with the club since joining two months ago from champions Ulinzi. “So far I’m very pleased with my achievements at the club. From the few matches I have played, I have realised how big the club is and I am happy being here,” he said.
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