12 février 2009

KENYA : Zone 5 Qualifiers: South American based pro Kiganya finally joins team camp

South American based professional Peter Kiganya has finally joined the national men's team training camp at the Coca Cola Stadium in Nairobi.

A happy coach Anthony Ojukwu told yesterday that the country's top professional who plies his trade in Paraguay trained alongside ten other players in what he termed a good turn out since the sessions started last week.

Ojukwu said that he was impressed with the sessions and warned the players who have not reported to do so today or be axed altogether from the team that is training for the Zone Five qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda latter this month.
"The turn out was good. The fact that I worked with 11 players today was an indication that things were moving in the right direction. Just a day ago, there were less than five players in training here." noted Ojukwu.

He noted that the only concern was the lack of fitness that was exhibited by the players during the training and assured that is an area that he and other coaches will work on beginning today.
"From what I have seen, they all looked rusty. But this is understandable due to the fact that they have been inactive since the premier league came to an end last December. They will be out put under their paces and I am sure their fitness level will improve considerably." said Ojukwu.

He send a passionate plea to experienced players like Toibias Onyango, Cliff Ochieng, Dan Okwirri and Patrick Kirui who have yet to report for training to do so by toady. No more new players will be allowed after the deadline.
"We have said all along that there is no time and that we want all players called to to the team to report for us to start strict training together. I am giving them up to today to show up. If they don't there will be no option but to leave them out." he said.

He said that he has called up two more players Desmond Owili of Posta and Ben Ogolla of Strathmore University to join the camp. The duo he, said had already undergone their first sessions with the team yesterday.

Kenya played Strathmore University in friendly at the same venue thumping the students 93-56 in a fast paced game. Another match against another premier league side is set programmed for today afternoon at the same venue.

In this match, Kenya jumped to a 19-13 first quarter lead, maintained a 19-12 edge in a tight second quarter before the Blades closed in 20-21 with a gritty show. But the fourth was easy as the winners bolted away 34-11 with ease.
"It was a good match for us. I was trying out a few things and also made a few observations that we will work in during our coming trainings." observed Ojukwu adding that such like matches will help the team shape us for the regional show.


Dann O. Were