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After three years, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob Mulee has revealed how he outsmarted Togo's "White Wizard" Claude Le Roy.
After three years of keeping deep secrets, former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob "Ghost" Mulee has revealed how he outmaneuvered Claude Le Roy, the highly respected French coach who has spent over three decades in African football, in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The game, held in Lome, Togo, was marked by tense strategies, Covid-19 controversies and ultimately a 2-1 victory for Kenya that denied Togo an easy win.
Le Roy, who once held the esteemed title of “White Wizard” for his tactical acumen in African football, led national teams across the continent for decades, including stints with Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo, and Congo-Brazzaville.
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13:14 - 04.11.2024
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However, his tenure with Togo ended on a sour note, largely influenced by what Mulee describes as a "clever plan" to thwart an unexpected Covid-19 challenge orchestrated by the Togolese association.
Mulee's preparations for the final qualifying match were unconventional, knowing full well the game could be marred by sudden Covid-19 restrictions.
"It was funny, and I had anticipated this before the game, as it was during Covid times," Mulee recalled in an interview with comedian Oga Obinna.
"I suspected they might make false allegations about the test results. So, in the final training session before we left for Lomé, I switched players—I removed five key players and placed them in the second team."
Mulee's foresight paid off when, just hours before kickoff, five key Harambee Stars players, including forward Michael Olunga, defender Joash Onyango, goalkeeper Ian Otieno and midfielder Lawrence Juma, were declared Covid-19 positive by the Togolese officials.
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The move appeared orchestrated to weaken Kenya’s lineup, which seemed poised to capitalize on Togo's poor form in the qualifiers.
Mulee’s strategy, however, had already accounted for such a possibility.
"True to my prediction, Michael Olunga, Joash Onyango, goalkeeper Ian Otieno, and Lawrence Juma were declared Covid-19 positive just two hours before the match," Mulee noted.
Despite this setback, the Harambee Stars remained resolute with Mulee slotting Ulinzi Stars' James Saruni in goal and reshuffling his defense and midfield to adapt.
In midfield, Clyde Senaji filled Onyango’s role in defense alongside Nahashon Alembi of KCB, while Duke Abuya replaced Juma in the midfield.
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18:08 - 03.11.2024
South Sudan inflict more misery on Harambee Stars as they frustrate them to draw in 2025 CHAN second leg qualifier
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Masud Juma, who captained the side, stepped in as the lone striker up front. Abdallah Hassan opened the scoring for Kenya in the 35th minute, firing home a well-timed pass from Eric Ouma.
The team extended its lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute, courtesy of a penalty by Masud Juma after Abdallah Hassan was fouled in the box.
Togo's attempt to capitalize on the weakened lineup backfired and they ultimately failed to challenge Kenya's defense in the game’s closing stages.
Reflecting on the outcome, Mulee revealed that after the match, Le Roy, who appeared troubled by the incident, approached him in an apologetic manner.
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According to Mulee, it was clear that the French coach was aware of the situation that had unfolded but felt helpless to intervene.
"After the game, Claude Le Roy came over and seemed guilty about what had happened, but I wasn’t worried," Mulee recounted.
"Just a few minutes later, I was informed by Emmanuel Adebayor that they had fired him."
Le Roy’s distinguished career, which spanned African football strongholds like Cameroon, where he won the Nations Cup in 1988, came to a close under unexpected circumstances.
His record, which included notable achievements such as guiding teams to nine Africa Cup of Nations appearances and consistently reaching the quarter-finals, could not save him from Togo's management decision following their dismal performance in the qualifiers.
Under his leadership, Togo won only nine of 35 matches finishing bottom of their 2021 Afcon qualifying group with just two points.
The final blow to his tenure came in the form of Kenya’s well-executed game plan that denied Togo a chance at a final victory.
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11:45 - 04.11.2024
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Since his departure from coaching Le Roy has transitioned into punditry with Canal+ moving away from the sidelines and into broadcasting.
His departure from active coaching may have marked the end of an era but his influence on African football remains significant.
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