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The former AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars striker has revealed why he thinks Harambee Stars playing their home World Cup qualifiers in Malawi is a good thing for Kenya.
Former Harambee Stars striker Allan Wanga believes that hosting the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast away from home might actually benefit the team.
With Kenya lacking a FIFA-accredited stadium due to ongoing renovations at both Nyayo and Kasarani stadia, the matches are set to take place on June 7 and 11 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Losing the home advantage in such critical matches could be seen as a setback. However, Wanga, who retired from professional football in September 2021, argues that playing away could relieve some pressure off the players.
"Home matches are full of pressure. When you walk through the tunnel to a full stadium, as a player the last thing you can wish is to disappoint them,” Wanga told Sports Boom.
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“Much as I feel bad for the Kenyan fans, playing in Malawi will somehow help our players to express themselves without subjecting themselves to pressure," Wanga said.
Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, are the favorites in Group F of the qualifiers. However, Wanga is optimistic that with proper planning, the Harambee Stars can match their formidable opponents and secure a spot in the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"Good planning will easily get us points against the two opponents. The team has been in camp for some good time, which is a positive thing. If we organize ourselves well on and off the pitch, we will reap good results. It has been proven that there are no longer underdogs in football," said the former AFC Leopards and Tusker forward.
In 2023, Kenya played against strong teams in friendly matches, including the 2022 and 2018 World Cup hosts, Qatar and Russia, respectively.
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The Harambee Stars defeated Qatar 2-1 in Doha and held Russia to a 2-2 draw in a match played in Turkey. Additionally, Kenya had a successful outing in Malawi during the March FIFA international week, where they beat the host nation 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Four Nations tournament.
Head Coach Engin Firat shares this optimism and remains confident in his team's ability to perform well in the qualifiers despite the challenges.
With the added experience of players like Joseph Okumu and recent call-ups to strengthen the squad, the Harambee Stars are poised to take on Burundi and Ivory Coast with renewed vigor.
As Kenya prepares for these crucial World Cup qualifiers, the experience and insights of former players like Wanga and Situma provide valuable encouragement. With strategic planning and focused execution, the Harambee Stars aim to turn the absence of a home advantage into an opportunity for success on foreign soil.
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