Wanyama upbeat about ‘impossible’ AFCON quest

With Harambee Stars needing a miracle to qualify for the 2021 African Cup of Nations, skipper Victor Wanyama has kept faith about securing a place in the finals slated for Cameroon in January 2022.

Kenya are in a precarious position needing to win against Egypt and Togo and hope that either Comoros and The Pharaos suffer defeats in the two remaining games.

Wanyama acknowledged that qualifying for their second successive continental showpiece will be mission impossible but was hopeful of sealing a place in the tourney.

“Football is all about preparation, they are tough games (Egypt and Togo) but if we prepare well we stand a chance. In football, you have to go until the end because we have seen it before there are teams that start slow and they finish on top.

“We know we have a very big task and it is almost impossible, but if we can win the first game then I think we stand a chance so the game at home will be the game of our lives,” noted Wanyama.

Stars are yet to win a game in Group G having registered draws against Egypt, Togo and Comoros but lost the second leg against the Islanders.

The qualification plan was ripped apart following a draw and loss against Comoros leaving them third on the log with three points and five points below joint group leaders Egypt and Togo.

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Wanyama revealed that the lack of top-notch preparation and Covid-19 disruptions on the league were partly to blame for the dismal results against Comoros.

“It was a difficult period for the players and coach in the preparations to come and assemble the team, we did not have the league going on here, it was tough.

“It was tough for us to come and gel together, we did not have that connection but we cannot use that as an excuse because we did not utilise our chances,” added Wanyama.

The Club de Foot Montreal midfielder is still in the country with the Major Soccer League expected to kick off on Saturday 3 April.

Kenya are set to host Egypt on Monday 22 March in the penultimate game of qualification before wrapping up with an away clash against Toto on Tuesday 30 March.