NAIROBI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's soccer team coach Sebastien Migne has taken pressure off the players' shoulders ahead of their clash against Ghana in Accra on Saturday saying it is important they jell and learn new playing patterns ahead of the Africa Nations Cup finals in Egypt in June.
The Kenyan contingent of 22 players and five members of the technical bench departed Nairobi on Thursday morning confident of doing well in Accra.
With both Kenya and Ghana having qualified for the finals, the dead rubber match will only be critical in deciding who finishes top of Group F in the qualifiers after Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, the other members in the pool, dropped off along the way.
"We have no idea what pot Kenya will be placed in during the AFCON draws. It doesn't matter anyway because all the teams in Egypt will be tough," said coach Migne in Nairobi.
"That is why I tell the players to go out there and enjoy their game. We are not under pressure. Even if it were a crucial qualification match, we still would have taken it easy. This will be a chance for me to gauge the players ahead of AFCON finals," he added.
However, the players know it means a lot in their bid to give the coach a selection headache ahead of Kenya's planned training camp in France in May.
Migne is confident the three week-training camp will be critical to polish and sharpen his team ahead of the continents premier competition.
Kenya has set aside 244 million shillings (2.4 million U.S. dollars) for their preparations and final appearance in Egypt for the tournament, which lasts from June 21 to July 19.
Migne said they will be looking to give a good account of themselves in the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Kenyans top Group F on seven points, one ahead of Ghana. Kenya beat Ghana 1-0 in the first round match in Nairobi and the Black Stars have promised hell to their rivals just to get even and send a message to their would-be opponents at the Africa Cup of Nations that they mean business.
