By CHARLES NYENDEPosted Tuesday, May 5 2009 at 19:38
In Summary

Coach is confident that Kenya can beat Nigeria on June 5th.

This is a team that is capable of beating any team in Africa. They are not scared of any team which is a big positive in the side.”

These words could be considered braggadocio but when the are spoken by Twahir Mihiddin, newly named Harambee Stars assistant coach, you take notice, for he has been involved with the national team for over 20 years and counting.

The 50-year-old tactician was quietly named the local assistant to Antoine Hey over the weekend

Though Hey had indicated he preferred to get a young, former international just starting out in coaching to fill the position of local assistant coach, KFF senior vice chairman Titus Kasuve said Muhiddin’s appointment was a stop-gap measure.

“Muhiddin was proposed as the best man as we search for the young man Hey wants. We want to get it right and we will search thoroughly for a suitable person,” Kasuve said.

Chance of qualifying

“It is an honour to serve Harambee Stars. I am happy to serve in any capacity and I am looking forward to a good campaign,” Muhiddin who joined the Stars camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, said.

Stars are preparing for their next World Cup qualifier fixtures away to Nigeria on June 6 and at home to Mozambique a fortnight later.

“We started badly with a home loss to Tunisia but are still in with a chance of qualifying.

“We need to do our home work well and we will get the desired results,” the vastly experienced Muhiddin said.

He should know what he is talking about when it comes to Africa football.

Muhiddin first joined the Harambee Stars set up as an assistant to Mohammed Kheri in 1989 where he helped guide the team to the 1990 African Cup of Nation in Algeria.

He was back at the same position between 1995 and 1996 as an assistant to Vojo Gardesevic and Reinhardt Fabisch between 1996 and 1997.

He finally got the big job in 2004 where he guided Stars to a fourth place finish at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup held in Addis Ababa.

He was however sacked the following year after a poor run in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

As he departed then, he said that without proper preparations and motivation the team would not go far.

“This team can go far. They just need good support and motivation,” he reiterated on Tuesday.

Harambee Stars, subject to funds, are scheduled to travel to German on May 18 for a two-week training camp before heading for Abuja for the June 5 showdown.

Story.

Time will tell