Kenya Manager Migne turn down proposal to play against Nigeria in friendly ahead of AFCON 2019

Kenya Head Coach Sebastian Migne - DailyActiveKenya

Harambee Stars of Kenya head coach Sebastian Migne has rejected a proposal to have his team square up with Nigeria in a friendly game ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.


The East Africans who will compete at the AFCON finals for the first time in 15 years will train in Paris, France for three weeks ahead of the tournament.

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has repeatedly confirmed that the body was working round the clock to secure a high profile build-up games for the Harambee Stars.

There are reports that the Harambee Stars could line up against Nigeria and Tunisia before the AFCON finals this summer in Egypt, but Frenchman, Migne, is not keen on the proposal.

“Playing away in Abuja or Tunis with the probability of a heavy defeat just before the tournament starts may not help the team’s confidence,” a source told Nairobi News.

“Then the proposed dates for these matches are too close to the tournament and there is that possibility of getting injuries. You also have to factor in the weather.”

Kenya could however face Madagascar, Uganda or Ivory Coast in France, with Migne expected to name his 30-man squad for the French camp this week.