DR Congo Coach Makes Confession About Harambee Stars

Cameroon head coach Florent Ibenge has taken a critical look at how his team was held to a 1-1 draw by Kenya in Saturday’s Pre-Afcon friendly in Madrid, Spain.

The much-experienced gaffer admitted that the Harambee Stars were the better team, especially in the first half, and the Sebastien Migne coached side has what it takes to perform better in Afcon finals.

“Kenya is a very good team, a very good team with a lot of good players so it was good opposition for us during the friendly and I wish all the best for Kenya at the AFCON,” Ibenge told reporters.

“They (Kenya) were fantastic especially in the first half and they were very good when attacking from the flanks, that is where I noticed that they are attacking from. I think they can leave a mark at AFCON if they play like they did today (Saturday).”

Japan-based forward Michael Olunga scored for Kenya in the first half at the match played at Estadio de Santa after Ayub Timbe’s slaloming run through midfield.

Congo levelled matters with three minutes left when goalkeeper Patrick Matasi fumbled Arthur Masuaku’s free-kick into his own net.

Matasi had saved Cedric Bakambu’s penalty kick in the 51st minute after the goalkeeper had been punished for tripping Paul-Jose Mpoku inside the area with a late challenge.

DR Congo, who have been drawn in Group A, will begin their AFCON campaign against Uganda on June 22, thereafter play against host Zimbabwe and on June 26 and 30 respectively.

Kenya are fly back to France, where they have set camp on Sunday, three days before their scheduled departure to Cairo, Egypt, on June 19, 2019.