NAIROBI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The transfer of local players to foreign leagues might have left Kenya's team to face Tanzania in the 2020 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers exposed.
With the CHAN competition only open to players based in their home country, the Harambee Stars are without at least half the team that featured at the recent 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
However, head coach Sebastian Migne remains adamant he is under no pressure ahead of the clash on Sunday in Dar es Salaam.
Migne, who had already named his team for the match on Sunday, will have to do without midfielder Francis Kahata and goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, who have signed for Tanzanian clubs, as well as striker John Avire and the unattached Paul Were.
"It makes it hard to plan because I have lost at the last minute some of the best players to foreign leagues. We had them in our plans for this competition. It is, however, a chance for new players to show me what they can offer. I have to work with what I have. I am not under pressure.
"We keep monitoring players and are open to changes because times change. Last year everyone was talking about [Elvis] Rupia. Where is he today?" said Migne on Friday in Nairobi.
Those available for selection include goalkeeper John Oyemba and defender Joash Onyango, who were with the senior team in Cairo for the AFCON but never featured in the 24-team contest, along with Dennis Odhiambo, Bernard Ochieng and Philemon Otieno.
Kenya will meet Tanzania in their first leg tie on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, before playing host to their neighbors on August 4 in Nairobi. Migne's side leaves for Tanzania on Saturday.
Kenya beat Tanzania 3-2 at the AFCON in Egypt and will be looking for a back-to-back double in their quest to make a maiden CHAN appearance.
The aggregate winner after two legs will then take on Sudan in the final qualifying round.
The 2020 Africa Nations Championships will be hosted in Cameroon across January and February, after regional governing body CAF stripped Ethiopia of the hosting rights.
