South Sudan ready for Harambee Stars encounter

South Sudan national team head coach Cyprian Besong has admitted to having had a glimpse of Harambee Stars videos ahead of their friendly match slated for Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Stars host the youngest country in the continent in a build up match for the final 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo.

Besong, who led his troops to fell Uganda Cranes in a qualifier match staged at Nyayo in November last year revealed that the video analysis depicted quality in the Kenyan team and thus, he anticipates a tough encounter.

"I can't talk much about the Kenyan team but I have seen a couple of their videos and they are promising. In Africa, all teams are good and unless you prepare well, you will be in for a beating," he said.

With four of the Bright Stars players contracted by clubs which ply their trades in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), the German coach of Cameroon descent was non-committal on whether they will be summoned for duty. 

Gor Mahia forward Tito Okello, Tusker's David Majak, Kariobangi Sharks defender Kuol Chol and AFC Leopards midfielder Saad Musa are all in the South Sudan camp.

"The four players are part of the team and they can play or not. I have around 26 players in camp, and all of them are ready to be deployed," he said.

Meanwhile, Besong, said the friendly will present him with an opportunity to gauge the readiness of his players precisely those who reported in camp late for their final qualifiers against Malawi and Burkina Faso.

"Fortunately, I have no injury concerns ahead of the game which will help me see the tactical awareness and their fitness for the two important matches. We have been in camp for almost three weeks and the boys are raring to go," he added.

Stars lastly played South Sudan in 2015, winning 2-0 in an international friendly match.