Belgian-born coach Adel Amrouche was Wednesday unveiled as
the new coach of the Harambee Stars of Kenya and will be in charge when
they face African champions Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.
Group leaders Nigeria host bottom team Kenya in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier on March 23 in Calabar.
Amrouche,
who quit as Burundi’s coach last February, will have a huge task of
changing the team’s fortunes and making sure they improve their 126th
position in the World according to FIFA, in the continent and in the
CECAFA region.
"I am happy to be the coach of Kenya, and I'm happy because the federation and I have the same goals," he said.
"I hope Kenya can be one of the best on the continent and that I can help them qualify for major tournaments."
The 44-year-old previously led Burundi between 2007 and 2012, resigning last year in a protest over his working conditions.
Prominent
among these was the lack of preparation for big qualifiers, with the
Belgian saying that he was seldom given a friendly international to use
as a warm-up ahead of crunch clashes.
The Super Eagles, who won
the Nations Cup for a third time earlier this month, lead Group F after
two rounds with four points, three more than a Kenya side whose solitary
point came in a goalless draw at home to Malawi last June.
Despite
the fact that the Harambee Stars have never qualified for a World Cup
and have been absent from the Nations Cup since 2004, Amrouche sees the
chance as a stepping stone to building his career.
"I am here to build, and I hope this period will have a positive impact on my career," Amrouche told BBC Sport.
"Maybe
the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) did not pick a big name, but I can
assure you they have picked a hard worker - someone who can change the
face of Kenyan football and is ready to open doors of opportunity for
Kenyan footballers everywhere in the world," the naturalised Belgian
added at a news conference.
"I have followed Kenyan football for
quite some time now, and I believe it is time for a new approach for the
future so that we can make Kenya one of the big names in the continent
and in the world."
The Belgian will have Celtic midfielder Victor
Wanyama to call upon, with his brother MacDonald Mariga and veteran
striker Dennis Oliech also key men for the Kenyan national team.
Amrouche,
who starts work immediately, having signed the deal - the length of
which is unspecified - replaces Frenchman Henri Michel, who quit late
last year.
The former France coach oversaw just two games in charge of Kenya during his brief spell, both of which ended in defeat.
Kenya
currently lies in 126th position in the world according to FIFA, with
the game's governing body ranking Burundi 11 places higher.
The FKF announced on Tuesday that it intends to bid to host the 2019 Nations Cup finals.
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