VICTORY IS OURS! Harambee Stars players, the new Cecafa Senior Challenge
Cup champions, are over the moon as they celebrate with their trophy at
Nyayo Stadium Thursday. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO
“This is a team that will soon come of
age.” This was the verdict of Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche
after seeing his charges exhibit high level of tactical discipline,
hunger and commitment to bag the 2013 edition of the Cecafa Senior
Challenge Cup stretching their cup tally to six after an 11 year wait.
(READ: Brilliant Harambee Stars win Challenge Cup)
Stars
stormed to the finale and went ahead to lift the crown after a fairy
tale run that saw them edge out Tanzania in the semis, a side that had
overpowered 13-time winners Uganda Cranes at the quarter finals.
By
all accounts, Amrouche’s squad which was a blend of experience and
youth was the most consistent team in the tournament playing some fine,
high energy football which proved too much for their opponents.
The
Belgian built his squad on the philosophy of total football, a water
tight defense, a dynamic and creative midfield and a lethal attack force
that at times blew cold, but found their scoring touch as the
tournament wore on.
In six matches, the Stars conceded
just once; the best defensive record in the tourney while banging in ten
goals. Joackins Atudo, the towering Azam centre half, AFC Leopards' new
recruit James Situma, Aboud Omar and David 'Calabar' Owino were
outstanding in Stars’ rearguard forming a fearsome defensive barrier
while Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu and Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo were equally in
glowing form as they roamed the area in front of the back four.
The
duo played an integral role in foiling the moves by the opposition
while offering a firm shield to the defense. Their high work rate
allowed play maker Francis Kahata to move forward and fall back to pick
the ball when needed as Clifton Miheso and new kid on the block Noah
Wafula impressed on the flanks with pin-point deliveries.
REDISCOVERED FORM
Though
Stars struggled at the initial stages of the tournament with goals
coming from Atudo - who shouldered the burden of taking the spot kicks,
red hot Allan Wanga rediscovered his form to justify his place in the
team as the lead striker.
By the time Stars were facing
the Falcons in the finale, Wanga was relishing the battle ahead; little
wonder he tore the Falcons’ defense to shreds.
“I am
very pleased with the boys and Wanga in particular. I told them to give
the country a befitting gift and they obliged. I dedicate the trophy to
the fans who stood by the team and supported us in our endeavours,” an
ecstatic Amrouche said.
Amrouche and his technical bench will now take stock ahead of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Currently
ranked 117th, the Stars will be aiming to transfer their good Cecafa
run to the qualifiers with the aim of boarding a Morocco-bound plane for
the football showpiece after close to a decade-long absence.
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