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The team was forced to make do without the services of two key players in the back line
Rising Stars assistant coach Anthony Akhulia has opened up on how injuries to two key players affected the tactical plans in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) in Egypt.
The team was forced to make do without the services of first choice left back Telena Ochieng. The marauding defender was injured in the friendly match against Ghana six days before the tournament. He ended up missing the entire tournament in what proved to be fatal blow for the debutants.
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To compound Rising Stars woes, first choice goalkeeper Benard Jairo hurt his hip in the first Group B match against Morocco at the 30 June Stadium and missed the remaining pool matches aainst Tunisia and Nigeria. Akhulia reiterated that the duo were key to the team's plans for the tournament.
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"Those two players were part and parcel of the starting team. Telena was at the centre of the tactical formations within the defence set up. Unfortunately he got injured days to our first match, disorienting the team," Akhulia told Mozzzart Sports.
"Jairo had a good performance against Morocco despite that we conceded and lost the game."
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Akhulia conceded that losing the two players left the bench with no option other than to tweak their tactical approach and pass it on to the players. " The two injuries forced us to change a lot of things tactically within a short time."
The technical bench deployed Collins Ochieng' at left back against Morocco, with Humphrey Obino coming off the bench to take up the right back role in the absence of Telena.
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Manzur Okwaro, a centre back by trade, was moved at left back in the last two group matches against Tunisia and Nigeria, with Joseph Bate filling his place at the heart of the defence.
During the clash against Morocco, right back Baron Ochieng was deployed at left after Ochieng was withdrawn in the second half. Wyclifford Oduor was tasked with filling in the void left by Jairo in the contests against Tunisia and Nigeria.
"The guys who stepped in did a good job. I must commend Wyclifford Collins and Manzur for their efforts," reiterated Akhulia.
The Rising Stars will hope to make it back to back appearances at the tournament next year with plans under way to make the competition an annual championship.
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