The 2008 ACN qualification draw was quite favorable to Harambee Stars. Grouped with Angola, Swaziland and Eritrea in Group F, many sports fans heaved a sigh of relief as there was no major heavyweight in the Group. True, Angola is in Germany, but they are not Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia or the likes. But can the Stars deliver?

Qualification starts in early September and Kenya will face Eritrea in the opener. It’s already June, yet nothing visible to the outside world has been done by KFF to get the team ready. Who is the Coach, to begin with? What arrangements are being done?

It would be really sad if Harambee Stars fail to make it to the finals. The plan should be easy. They have to win both home and away matches against Eritrea and Swaziland. These are the minnows of the group and there is no other choice but to win all out. Then against Angola, splitting the points should be the aim. Stars have a good home record, so a win at home and a loss in Luanda would even it out. Or a draw in Nairobi and a draw in Luanda. If the Stars can do this, then that would be a big step towards qualifying. Hopefully, Eritrea can help us by at least drawing with Angola at home and we are through. Well, it’s a lot of wishful thinking but its entirely possible. Also, don't forget that in addition to the group winners, the 3 best placed second place teams also will make it.

We have a good team, what lacks is the organization. Gone are the years when we only had Mike Okoth as our pro. Gone also is long time captain Musa Otieno. But we have plenty of good players at the moment, possibly the best crop since the late 80's. In Arnold Origi, we have a pair of very safe hands in goal. There is also a legion of Kenyan pro's led by strikers Dennis Oliech at Nantes, Bonaventure Maruti at Follo (Norwegian Second Division), Paul Oyuga at Byrne (Norwegian Second Division) and midfielders Robert Mambo at Viking FC (Norwegian First Div.), a resurgent John 'Mo' Muiruri at MOSS FC (Norwegian Second Division), Emmanuel Ake at Nordslaelland (Denmark Top Division) and Macdonald Mariga at Helsingborg (Swedish Top Division) - the club former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson will suit for next season.

Hopefully, we can also persuade the young Reading FC defender Curtis Osano who will be playing in the premiership next season to suit up for the Stars. These are just a few, there are a lot more in various places in Europe and also in other African Leagues. Let’s also not forget the talent we have in the local Premier League. We therefore have enough players to make a formidable team, and it boils down to organization. Will we be ready?

Its actually time we started grooming the current crop of players for the 2010 World Cup. We can make it.... its very possible. After all, isn't Togo in Germany?

ATHLETICS