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The former GorMahia assistant coach insists that foreign-based Harambee Stars players lacked the fighting spirit and failed to lead by example
Harambee Stars legend Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo has questioned the mentality and commitment of Kenya's foreign-based players while on international duty with the national team.
The former Kenya Police coach said Stars' failed bid to book a slot for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco is down to half-hearted and lukewarm performance from overseas players who he termed as disappointing.
Cameroon and Zimbabwe booked the two slots in Group J at the expense of Kenya, leading to calls from stakeholders and fans alike for the Football Kenya Federation to sack Stars head coach Engin Firat.
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21:00 - 15.11.2024
Harambee Stars eliminated from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after draw against Zimbabwe
Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
While the federation is yet to make a decision regarding the Turkish gaffer's future, Pamzo said abroad-based players must share responsibility for Kenya's early elimination from the qualifiers.
"We need to tell our players the truth. In all honesty, they let the country down. We saw international players from other countries giving their best and ensuring their teams qualify. We never saw ours put in a spirited fight," Pamzo told SportsBoom.
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11:00 - 20.11.2024
Lack of fighting spirit, creativity & more: Five key takeaways from Harambee Stars' 0-0 draw with Namibia's Brave Warriors
Five things learnt from Kenya's inspirited 0-0 draw with Namibia in their dead-rubber AFCON 2025 qualifier.
Pamzo further challenged Harambee Stars player selectors to consider getting on board athletes with different characteristics that can give the team the X-factor during a match. The former Gor Mahia assistant coach said ball dribblers in the squad has become a thing of the past in the current Stars set-up.
"When was the last time you witnessed a player in the national team dribble past two or three players? Do we have a player who is good in one versus one situation? "That was not the case in the past. We had the likes of Oliech, Maria, Wanyama, myself and Okoth. These are players who could win matches for the team."
Kenya is expected to start the rebuilding process quickly with eyes on the 2027 AFCON that the nation will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
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