Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice president McDonald Mariga believes Harambee Stars will flourish in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) despite being placed in the ‘Group of Death’.Harambee Stars were drawn in Group A, which includes two-time winners Morocco and inaugural champions the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Zambia and Angola rounding out the pool.AFC Leopards players stage boycott a day to FC Talanta clashKenya will co-host the August tournament – which was originally set for February – alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda.”We won’t be scared of our opponents; it is an opportunity to show Africa and the world what we are capable of doing, and I am certain we will do well in the tournament,” Mariga said after the draw.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632953##The former Kenya international also disclosed that the federation will plan multiple friendly matches and pitch camps to adequately prepare the team for the competition in five months time.”We have sufficient time to perform effectively. As a federation, we will schedule several friendly matches and camps in order to build a strong team that can appropriately perform well,” the former Parma midfielder remarked.Video of CS Joho attending former Liverpool defender’s business launch surfacesDespite being placed in a difficult group, the UEFA Champions League winner expressed optimism that Kenya would outperform the far more formidable group opponents.”Angola has never beaten us at home, and the few times we met Morocco, we drew. So I am confident that with the preparations we will make, we will advance to the next round of the tournament,” added the former Tusker defensive midfielder.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632930##The FIFA Club World Cup winner with Inter Milan, together with Extreme Sports CEO Hussein Mohammed, were voted in as president and vice president during Saturday 7 December FKF polls.The eighth edition of CHAN will mark the duo’s first big tournament since taking office.
