Kenya's Paul Put vows to reach 2019 AFCON

Paul Put

Wednesday Dec 20, 2017. 09:30

New Kenya coach Paul Put has vowed he will lead the Harambee Stars to qualify for the 2019 CAF African Cup of Nations.

Put was speaking after leading the East Africans to to the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge glory last weekend.

Kenya opened their campaign with a 2-1 loss in Group F match away to Sierra Leone in June, but they will want to beat Ghana.

Put’s plan includes playing at least two friendly matches in March and May, and thereafter, a training camp with all the foreign-based players.

“We are going to organise those friendlies to give me an opportunity to know the foreign-based players too, as we prepare for the match against Ghana,” said coach Put.

“Even for the local players the job is not done, I will follow them by watching the local league. We need a very balanced team.

“Playing Ghana is not easy, you have to know you are playing one of the biggest nations in football, so I have to say preparation will be key for us.

“We are going to have two more matches in June, preferably in a camp set up for one or two weeks depending on when the foreign-based players break in May.”