2014 World Cup qualifier - Newly appointed Kenya coach Adel Amrouche has said he is not afraid to face Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on March 23 in Calabar.
Kenya is bottom of Group F with one point, three points behind leaders Nigeria.
But Amrouche has insisted playing Nigeria is like playing any other country and that against the likes of Nigeria, the motivation is normally there whether it's a qualification game or not.
'As I coach I don't fear Nigeria although I know they are a good team. As a team we must have belief in ourselves and work hard on winning matches without getting worried of the opposition,' he said.
Speaking about the demand for results by most fans, the former Burundi coach said it is the case everywhere.
'This is a problem not only in Kenya, but also in the continent. Don't believe and rely always on what people say, when you don't work with passion you cannot achieve results,' he offered.
On Wednesday, Amrouche named a provisional squad of 30 locally based players who are expected to start training next week.
Among the new inclusions in the team include teenage sensation Tusker's Michael Olunga, Daniel Onyango of Western Stima, Mohammed Hassan of KRA ,Chrispin Odula and Aboud Omar of Bandari and Jesse Were of Tusker.
Also making a comeback to the team were Allan Wanga of AFC Leopards, Fredrick Onyango of Gor Mahia, Sofapaka quartet of Collins Kisuya, James Situma, Bob Mugalia and Antony Kimani.
Amrouche however reiterated that he would still be calling up more players as he seeks to identify his final squad to be added to the foreign based players to face Nigeria.
'I have called up an initial 27 players that I intend to closely monitor in training so that I can make a final decision. However all players must know the doors to the national team are closed as I will still beef up the squad. We will be going to camp after the elections where I will also name the foreign based players to join us later. We are looking to play several friendly matches which we are yet to confirm,' Amrouche said online Thursday night.
This Day/01/03/2013