Afcon 2021 Qualifiers: Kenya didn't expect Togo's long ball tactics â€“ Kimanzi

BetOdds Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Kenya v Togo Kenya Togo

The former Mathare United coach admits The HawksÃ¢Â€Â™ decision to use long balls made his side struggle in the Group G tie

Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has spoken aboutÃ‚Â TogoÃ¢Â€Â™s tacticsÃ‚Â in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played on Monday night.

The Kenyan side missed a chance to move top of Group G after the visiting side managed to secure a 1-1 draw in the match played at Kasarani Stadium. In the other group match, Comoros had managed a 0-0 draw against Egypt at home.

Club Brugge KV midfielder Johanna Omollo scored the hostsÃ¢Â€Â™ goal after unleashing a thunderous shot from outside the 18-yard box before Hakim Oura-Sama equalised for The Sparrowhawks with a bullet header from a corner-kick.

Speaking to Goal after the showdown, the former Mathare United coach has revealed his intentions was to get maximum points from the fixture but the mission proved impossible after Togo resorted to using long balls.

Ã¢Â€ÂœWe came into the match aiming for the three points and that is why we took the lead ahead of them and also kept pressing them,Ã¢Â€Â Kimanzi told Goal.

Ã¢Â€ÂœHowever, they [Togo] resorted to using long balls because they have tall players and it proved difficult for us to contain them, we were forced to struggle because they had to use the long balls and we did not anticipate they will use such a style.

Ã¢Â€ÂœWe tried our best to adjust to their game plan but maybe it was too late and also we should have done better to defend set-pieces and their goal was something we could have easily avoided.Ã¢Â€Â

Kimanzi has, however, remained positive Kenya are still in contention to reach their second successive Afcon finals which will be held in Cameroon.

Ã¢Â€ÂœBut to get a point again in the qualifier is not a bad result because Togo have also dropped a point against us, Comoros have dropped points, same as Egypt and so we now have two points,Ã¢Â€Â Kimanzi continued.

Ã¢Â€ÂœWe still have a chance to quality, everyone in this group has a chance to qualify so we wait and see in the next group of matches what happens.

Ã¢Â€ÂœIt is a very open group for any team to qualify, and what we need to do now is make sure we get some positive results in the remaining two matches at home.Ã¢Â€Â

Kenya will now take a break before they shift gear to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup to be held in Kampala, Uganda from December.

2019-11-19 10:00:08

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