Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee has lauded the team for an impressive performance at the Four-Nation Tournament in Malawi where they emerged winners.Stars hammered Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final played at Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi on Tuesday to win their first notable trophy since winning the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in 2017.On the road to the final, the coach Engin Firat side thumped the hosts Malawi 4-0.“It was a good performance having in mind that the team scored seven goals while conceding just one. Ahead of the upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, it gives the players a lot of confidence. The coach also had an opportunity to introduce new players into the team.”Skipper Michael Olunga was the team’s and tournament’s top scorer with five goals which included a brace and a hat-trick. Returning forwards John Avire and Ayub Timbe were also on the score sheet. Firat: Four nations performances a morale booster ahead of World Cup qualifiersGhost said that the issue of quality of opponents no longer holds water when it comes to African football. “Remember the just ended AFCON in Ivory Coast? The teams that were seen as minnows or of lower FIFA ranking are the ones who performed, and even shocked the so-called giants. The issue of the quality of opponents no longer holds water in African football.” ##NAJAVA_MECA_7984644##He understands the excitement around the achievement despite the fact that it was just a friendly tournament. “How many of those players have won anything with the Harambee Stars? It’s been a long time since the team won any trophy and the excitement is understandable. You can be sure it will give them a mental boost and psyche them up ahead of the forthcoming serious competitions, now that they know the beauty of winning a tournament.” Government clears Engin Firat’s salary arrearsThe former Tusker FC coach rallied behind defender Joseph Okumu saying that he has no equal currently. Okumu who plays in France scored an own goal in the final. He has also made similar costly blunders in his recent matches for Stars.“I would say he’s been unlucky, but we need to focus on his overall game. I can say he’s one of the top performers for Stars with very good progressive passes. He has no equal in the country at the moment,” Ghost said.
