Rising Stars assistant coach Anthony Akhulia has opened up on how injuries to two influential players disoriented the tactical plans in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) in Egypt. Stars lost the first choice left back Telena Ochieng six days to the start of the tournament after the defender picked up an injury in a test match against Ghana. Telena suffered a knee knock in the match played at the Egypt Football Association’s technical centre, a setback that saw him miss all of Stars’ matches in Egypt. The team was further dealt a blow after first choice goalkeeper Benard Jairo hurt his hip in the first Group B match against Morocco at the 30 June Stadium. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8916380##Jairo would end up watching the matches against Tunisia and Nigeria from the stands after failing to shake off the injury on schedule. “Those two players were part and parcel of the starting team. Telena was at the centre of the tactical formations within the defence set up. Unfortunately he got injured days to our first match, disorienting the teamJairo had a good performance against Morocco despite that we conceded and lost the game,” opened up the tactician. Kenya U20 coach lists four lessons picked from U20 AFCONAkhulia conceded that losing the two players left the bench with no option other than to tweak their tactical approach and pass it on to the players. ” The two injuries forced us to change a lot of things tactically within a short time,” he said. Meanwhile, the Bidco United coach heaped praises on the fighting spirit displayed by the players, who replaced the injured duo. In the absence of Telena, the technical bench deployed Collins Ochieng’ at left back against Morocco, with Humphrey Obino coming off the bench to take up the right back roles. Kenya U20 coach’s appeal to FKF after U20 AFCON exitCentre back Manzur Suleiman Okwaro was moved at left back in the last two group matches against Tunisia and Nigeria, with Joseph Bate filling his place at the heart of the defence. During the clash against Morocco, right back Baron Ochieng was deployed at left after Ochieng was withdrawn in the second half.How World Cup dream influenced Harambee Stars’ assistant to reunite with McCarthyWyclifford Oduor was tasked with filling in the void left by Jairo in the contests against Tunisia and Nigeria. ” The guys who stepped in did a good job. I must commend Wyclifford Collins and Manzur for their efforts,” added Akhulia.
