Harambee Stars plan to camp in France ahead of the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations set for Egypt from June 21 to July 19, 2019.
The senior men’s national football team is making a return to the Africa’s premium championship after a 15-year absence and are not planning to just add numbers but compete, coach Sebastien Migne has said.
Before their last appearance in the 2004 edition in Tunisia, Stars camped in the UK and despite failing to go past the group stage, the team gave a fair account of themselves beating Burkina Faso 3-0 in their final game.
So why France this time and not a country with same weather as Egypt, the host country?
First, teams camping ahead of major tournaments is a normal thing with the main objective being to enhance team chemistry and bonding which is key to building a formidable team capable of competing.
Secondly, according to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Migne, a Frenchman, “feels that the climate which is not as hot as in North Africa will give him the much needed opportunity to have double sessions and push the players to a certain level. This would not be possible in a hot climate.”
Migne also hopes to secure friendlies against other African teams which will also be camping France – tentatively neighbors Uganda and a North African side, if they are not pooled together.
“We continue to engage one other West African side which will be camping in France at the same time,” disclosed FKF.
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To adopt to Egypt’s warm weather, Harambee Stars will move to the country a week to the tournament’s kick-off.
Stars will know their opponents and host city on Friday April 12, 2019 when the draw for the tournament will take place in Cairo, Egypt.
Harambee Stars Ksh224 million AFCON 2019 budget has already been presented to parliament for approval.
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