Sofapaka head coach David Ouma reveals Harambee Stars advice for Abdalla Hassan

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FKFPL Sofapaka head coach David Ouma reveals Harambee Stars advice for Abdalla Hassan

Mark Kinyanjui 14:06 - 06.06.2023

The former Harambee Starlets coach wants Kenyan footballers to have more competitiveness and desire to improve.

Sofapaka FC head coach David Ouma has asked Bandari FC winger Abdalla Hassan to be more consistent throughout the games.

Batoto ba Mungu keeper Simon Masaka received a maiden call-up to the Harambee Stars squad that will be taking part in the Mauritius Four Nations Series alongside the hosts, Djibouti and Pakistan, which will give him a chance to show his capabilities.

“He is a fantastic goalkeeper, of course, he got injured in the last matches but recovered and has been on the bench. He can help the country I believe,” Ouma said.

“The players must play in the (FKF) Premier League in order to expose their talents and application of the game in order to earn such opportunities to play for Kenya or professionally.

“I pulled (Bandari’s) Hassan Abdallah today and told him, now, you are playing against Sofapaka but will be with the national team tomorrow- You have to play all minutes. You cannot simulate and then sleep. You have to play all minutes in order to be sharp and ready for national team duty.

“We guide these players in training and the gym to help them become competitive enough but if you are sloppy, how can you play tomorrow in the game?

“Everyone wants to play for the national team. At the end of the day, it is about motivating the player. In the Kenyan Premier League, nine matches were played this weekend. 18 goalkeepers played. You have to be better than the other keeper. Same case for number 6s. You have to be better than the other 6s.

"He is continuing to work hard. He is coming from injury and has played for Mathare United and Kakamega Homeboyz. He only played two games for Homeboyz, but I believe in the player and I will keep developing him.”

Eugene Wethuli started his first match for Batoto Ba Mungu and scored a goal that was ruled out. Ouma believes he must still do better in order to earn more starts.

“He is not yet there but it does not matter. You have the desire to play in the game, to be competitive, and to play fairly. On Saturday, we played carelessly. We need to be more aggressive and deliver more crosses and cutbacks which we are working on in training.

“The national team manager has been watching. The players have to show they deserve a call up by being competitive.

“You have to be better than the others. Simon Masaka’s call up will give him the opportunity and desire to continue doing better, not for the entire team, but for him.”