'Marcelo' confident of Harambee Stars' giant slaying mission against Iran

FOOTBALL 'Marcelo' confident of Harambee Stars' giant slaying mission against Iran

Kiplagat Sang • 20:33 - 23.03.2023

Kenya will travel to Tehran for a friendly game slated for Tuesday.

Harambee Stars fullback Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma is confident they can beat the underdog tag and see off Iran.

Kenya have been scheduled to face the 2022 World Cup participants in Tehran on Tuesday, March 28.

While hoping they can beat the odds and take down the Asian giants, the former Gor Mahia defender explained the importance of high-intensity physical training.

"We train twice, and this helps us physically because, at a high level, you need high intensity to compete with other teams," the AIK defender said.

"Iran is a good team, and it is not going to be a walk in the park, but we are also a good team. If we believe in ourselves, we are going to make it better for ourselves. So it is all about minds, and we set our minds on the game.

"Football sometimes can be very funny because the underdogs can have a good match and win. So it is all about us believing in ourselves and keeping going."

Marcelo expectedly survived after coach Engin Firat trimmed the squad further to 23 players. 

The Turkish tactician chose to remain with Gent’s Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela of Mamelodi Sundowns, Johnstone Omurwa of Estrela, Mathare United’s David Ochieng, Daniel Anyembe of Viborg, Football Kenya Federation Premier League-winning fullback Daniel Sakari, and Abud Omar of Kenya Police FC as his preferred defenders for the game.

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