According to former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, Harambee Stars should aim at winning the tournament because of the prize money that will be at stake.
Before the draw, the African body announced they had increased the prize money by 75% with the champions going to pocket $3.5 million, with a total prize pool of $10.4 million—a 32% hike aimed at boosting the tournament’s appeal.
“I believe the players know what is at stake, we saw the prize money was increased and this should work as a motivator to Kenya to try and go for the prize,” said Mulee. “It is not difficult, they will be playing at home, with the fans rallying behind them, it is something they can achieve and make the country proud.”
On Kenya’s group, Mulee summed it up: “I think when you go into a draw you expect a lot, there is no easy group, actually when I look at all the groups, they are tough groups but Kenya’s group is the group of death.
“However, I believe that Kenya, they usually play very well when they have a tough group, remember during the 1987 All Africa Games in Kenya, we went all the way to the final, so that is already an indication that we can beat big teams, we beat Cameroon on the way to the final where we lost to Egypt.”
Mulee continued: “I think in our group the pressure is very high for the players, for the coaches and when Kenya faces tough teams that is where Harambee Stars actually performs, actually if you follow Harambee Stars very closely, when you are expecting they are going to win is when they lose.
“They disappoint you, but again the Morocco game is going to be very tough and playing at home Harambee Stars will be backed by home supporters and I think that is going to be a very big motivation and knowing that the pressure is on them to be able to perform.”
