“We are not here to participate but to compete”. These were the remarks of Emerging Stars captain Rooney Onyango on the team’s chances to clinch the COSAFA Cup.Stars are in South Africa having been invited to grace this year’s cup following the withdrawal of Malawi.Kenya will play the opening game against defending champions Zambia today at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium starting 7pm.##GALERIJA##Going by the calibre of opponents the Kenyan boys will come up against in pool B and in the knockout stages if they manage to make it , many don’t give them a chance but Onyango believes otherwise. Onyango, who was appointed skipper the team earlier in the week, insists that Emerging Stars are strong enough to fight all the way to the final of the showpiece. “We came to compete and we are ready to reach the climax of the tournament,” said Onyango. Emerging Stars face Zambia’s Chipolopolo in COSAFA Cup Group B openerThe team’s quest for the regional title will be tested by Chipolopolo tonight in a game that Onyango is confident of Stars shining brightly. “We respect them but don’t fear them. We are ready to face them, compete and get good results,” remarked the former Gusii defender. Most of the participating teams send their domestic-based players to the tournament but Kenya opted to be represented by the U23 team. The former Wazito defender lauds the move saying it will give the players platform to express their talent and audition for the senior team. Emerging Stars probable line up against ZambiaHarambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is expected to catch action from the stands with the sole aim of sieving the best and integrating them to the senior team. “The tournament is an opportunity for the players to display their talents. Some are eyeing promotion to the senior team as well,” he added.
