NAIROBI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya anticipates a strong challenge from Tanzania when the two sides battle it out for the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier on Sunday in Dar es Salaam.
Kenya coach Sebastien Migne, who has returned from his sabbatical in France after losing in the first round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) said Tanzania's match will be hard and warned his side against complacency.
"Of course it's going to be tough against Tanzania. Most of the players they had at AFCON were local based and more experienced. We are working on building team spirit and I am confident that we will do well," said Migne on Monday in Nairobi.
The French coach is taking the 27 players through their training in Nairobi ahead of their departure to Dar es Salaam on Friday. Some 23 out of the 27 initially called up have already checked in.
"We beat Tanzania at the AFCON and they have revenge to pick with us. It will however not make them commit silly mistakes and we just need to be composed and see how much pressure we can soak up and punish them too," said the coach.
The CHAN is a competition open to players plying their trade in local leagues. The 2020 CHAN, to be hosted in January and February will be the sixth edition and Cameroon will host the finals after Confederation of African Football stripped Ethiopia of the rights.
Kenya beat Tanzania 3-2 in Egypt and will be looking to a back-to-back double in their quest to make a maiden appearance at the CHAN.
After the first leg in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, the return leg will be in Nairobi on Aug. 4. The aggregate winner will then face off with Sudan in the final qualifying round, to be played on a date to be announced later. Enditem
