Stars, let's shut Namibians up!

I was amused by Namibia Coach's remarks when asked about the quality of Harambee Stars, Namibia's next opponents in the ongoing Africa qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. "I know their type of football. They are more on endurance than skill. The skill is not that good".

Either coach Benard Kaanjuka is a very brave man with a skill in mind games that could rival Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Manchini of the red and blue rivals of Manchester, or else, he is an arrogant pretender residing in his own imaginary world.

Last time I checked, Harambee Stars had some of the most skillful midfielders in Africa. it is in very public knowledge that stars midfielders have recently run rings around players of such powerhouses as Nigeria, Tunisia and Guinea. In fact, one of the shortcomings of the national team recently has been over-playing in mid field and forgetting about the final third.

It is also in public knowledge that Kenya now has a problem in deciding who to position between the sticks. For a long time, we have known that our number one, Arnold Origi, is one of the best keepers in Africa, producing one excellent performance after another.

We have recoiled in fear every time we saw Boniface Oluoch walking on to the pitch to guard Kenya's goal. Surprisingly, all that was forgotten in an instant when the lad produced a marvelous, inspiring and unforgettable performance to keep a very poor Harambee Stars, admittedly, in the game (and 2014 qualifiers) against a defensive Malawi on the 2nd of June.

With the return of Origi, after a short-lived self-imposed exile from national duty, coach Kimanzi must be furiously scratching his head, wondering whether to retain the in-form Oluoch or revert to the ever-reliable Origi.

Then there is Oliech, who was last season's Auxerre FC leading scorer and one of the leading goal scorers in the current African World Cup qualifiers with three goals. Surely, Kanjuuka must have been talking about another Kenya?

Admitted, the team often lacks a tactical cutting edge, has problems in defence- especially on the left, and seems to struggle for motivation and commitment when not facing a heavyweight opponent, but truth be said, Kenya has never stopped producing skillful players ever since she happened on the international football scene.

So Stars, make us proud. Make Kaanjuka eat his own words and shut him up in his own back yard! Go Kenya Go!