Sammy Omollo wants the Harambee Stars to face stronger teams in friendlies to help build character of players.The senior men’s national team is in Mauritius for a four-team tournament against the hosts, Djibouti and Pakistan, all ranked below them by FIFA.”During our time, we used to face strong teams in friendlies,” the former Harambee Stars defender turned coach told Mozzart Sport.”When you face strong opponents, you build the character of players, especially the young ones,” the former Gor Mahia player, and Tusker FC coach added.Firat out to hand debuts as Harambee Stars embark on five-hour flight to MauritiusWhile rooting for the tournament, Stars coach Engin Firat said it would offer an opportunity for him to monitor a range of players.”This tournament offers us diversity in the opponents we shall face, especially at a time when most African nations are engaged in AFCON Qualifiers. Playing three matches gives me an opportunity to give more players a chance to show what they can offer,” Engin told the FKF website.##NAJAVA_MECA_7318697##A number of home-based players, including the leading Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) top scorer Benson Omala of Gor Mahia and KCB FC goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo made the trip.Pamzo agrees, it would be a great chance for the local lads to prove to Firat that they should be in his future plans.”They have a golden opportunity to convince the coach why they should be in his future plans,” said Pamzo.Unfortunately, Stars missed their opener against Djibouti due to poor logistics which saw the team fail to get a flight to the Island nation in time.Kenya find out opponents in U17, U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup QualifiersPamzo suggests such hitches are not healthy. “They interfere with the coach’s plans.”Out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers currently going on, Stars have engaged in friendlies to prepare for future engagements.In March, the team lost 2-1 to Iran in Tehran in a high profile friendly.
