Former Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche says he would like to complete the project he started with the Kenya national team in the future.
Despite the Algerian-born Belgian leading Tanzania to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January next year, he says loves Kenya and looks forward to another chance to complete the work he started in 2013.
Amrouche 55, secured Tanzania a heroic 0-0 draw away in Algeria on September 7 to become the only East African side to qualify after finishing behind the Desert Foxes with eight points. The result halted Algeria’s six-match winning streak and also locked out neighbors Uganda out despite managing seven points, one behind Tanzania in Pool F.
“I love Kenya because it’s like my second home. I am a good ambassador to the country and given another chance, I would never say no to coaching Harambee Stars. I never finished my project,” said Amrouche.
The experienced tactician who’ll lead Taifa Stars to only their third Afcon tournament in history, where they are still searching for a maiden victory.
Coincidentally, Harambee Stars beat Tanzania 3-2 in the 2019 tournament in Cameroon, for only their second-ever victory in the event following a 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in Tunisia in 2004.
While Amrouche says he had a great working experience with the then technical director, Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, and his backroom staff, he says bad politics is the biggest virus in Kenyan football. He adds that despite being in charge of a very talented side, led by the likes of Dennis Oliech, Victor Wanyama, Jamal Mohammed, and David ‘Calabar’ Owino, some elements worked against the project.
“When we brought (Michael) Olunga to the national team at a young age, I was accused of favouring Ghost Mulee’s friends. Who is the Stars captain now? I helped the likes of David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng get the chance to play in Saudi Arabia but some people never appreciated that and wanted to force specific players into the system,” added the gaffer.
Amrouche says politics has also stagnated big clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards and despite having a big following, they aren’t performing at the continental level. He points out that the Tanzanian league is organised than the Kenyan Premier League and has resulted in Simba and Yanga attracting big players and rubbing shoulders with giants of Africa in CAF tournaments.
Amrouche helped hosts Kenya clinch the 2013 CECAFA title with a 2-0 win over Sudan in Nairobi, before being sacked in August 2014 after failing to guide the team to the finals of the 2015 Africa Nations Cup in Morocco. He was controversially sent packing while serving a one-year ban by CAF for gross misconduct. He later reported FKF to Fifa over unpaid dues and breach of contract leading to over Sh90m pay cheque.
Kenya who are position 105 in the latest Fifa rankings, didn’t play in the qualifiers after being banned by the world governing body after ‘government interference’ with the game.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Jambo while on a visit to Kenya, Amrouche said his main task is assembling the best squad that will fly the Tanzanian flag in Ivory Coast between January 14 and February 11 next year.
“I am not thinking about the World Cup qualifiers right now. We have to go step by step and while awaiting the Afcon draw, I will concentrate on my preparations and friendly matches,” concluded Amrouche.
